ZAC Purchase is the pride of Worcestershire after a golden performance at the Olympics yesterday morning.

The gold medal won by former King’s School pupil Zac and his lightweight double sculls partner Mark Hunter was just a part of a remarkable weekend of triumphs for Team GB in Beijing.

But for the many people at King’s and at the Evesham and Upton clubs for which Zac once rowed it was the most important.

Zac and Mark are unbeaten in their event this year and their gold medal triumph was never in doubt as they crossed the finishing line almost a second ahead of their nearest rivals. It was a fantastic performance.

And if anyone ever doubted, in these days of multi-millionaire footballers, how much events like the Olympics really mean to competitors in the so-called minor sports they only had to look at Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter yesterday.

The jelly-legged state of Mark as he climbed out of the boat at the end of the race after giving his all and the tears that flowed from Zac as the national anthem was played said it all.

And for the millions who watched their performance on television it was more than worth missing out on a Sunday morning lie-in.

These Olympics are turning into the best for years for British competitors.

We congratulate them all – but reserve a special salute for Zac Purchase.