AN apprentice bricklayer is cementing his future as an Olympic hopeful after being ranked number one in the country.

Scott Lincoln, of Brompton, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is building a reputation as one of the UK’s brightest hopes.

The 18-year-old took the gold medal in the shot putt at the recent England Under-20s four nations competition, in Cardiff.

Scott, who sealed his win with a throw of 16.9m - 1.5m ahead of his closest rival - is now targeting a place at the world junior championships, in Barcelona, in July.

While this summer’s London Olympics will come too soon for the teenager, the 2016 games, in Brazil, are also in his sights.

The teenager, a construction student at Darlington College, said: “I started in athletics five years ago and won my first shot-put competition at 13.

"From there, I progressed to winning the North of England indoor and outdoor championships twice, coming second at the UK indoor Championships twice, taking the silver medal at the UK School games and the bronze at the 2011English Schools in Gateshead.

"When I was selected to represent England and then go on to take the gold medal at the four nations I was over the moon."

Currently ranked number one in the country, for his age group, Scott has been honing his skills with Olympic gold medallist and former world’s strongest man, Geoff Capes.

Scott, who also works as an apprentice for his father’s company, Shaun Lincoln builders.

He added: “The 2016 Olympics in Rio is a serious ambition.

"I train five days a week, for two hours each night and I have just got my own weights so I can do more training at home.

"I do find it hard trying to juggle my athletics with a full-time apprenticeship.

"I get a lot of help from home and from the college. I am hoping to secure funding for my sport, which will make it a lot easier."

Scott is now concentrating on achieving a throw of 19 metres before the end of June, which would earn him automatic selection for the Great Britain team.

A a top-two finish at the UK Championship, in Birmingham, this weekend, could also earn him a place.

Darlington College tutor Andrew Roscamp added: "Scott is now in the third year of his apprenticeship and has been a model student.

"He is keen, enthusiastic, conscientious and very modest.

"He keeps quite quiet about his achievements but the whole college is very proud of his success and supportive of his ambitions for the future."