WINTON schoolboy Louis Sellers travelled to Gateshead with the Hampshire Schools team recently to compete in the National Schools Competition.

The Andover athlete who has so far enjoyed a successful season in 2004 was aiming to make the final of the intermediate boys 400 metres.

In cold and blustery conditions he performed magnificently to take the silver medal and equal his personal best of 48.58 seconds in the process.

On the day before the competition the 16-year-old county and Hampshire Schools 400 metres champion and record holder travelled by coach to Newcastle University with the rest of the Hampshire team.

There, the halls of residence became home to some 2,000 athletes and officials. On day one of the championships, Louis won his first round heat comfortably and posted the quickest time overall of 49.96 seconds.

Later, he competed in his second 400 metres race of the day winning the semi-final in 49.25 seconds. Louis went for broke in the final on day two and played his part in a thrilling race.

Despite the windy conditions, he ran well in the first half of the race to come off the final bend in the lead.

He bravely hung on but with less than 30 metres to go was pipped for the gold medal.

Full story in the Advertiser sport section