A STOKE Heath runner has exceeded expectations by reaching the English Schools Championships in his first competitive season.

Daniel Fagan, of The Furrows, has been running the 100 and 200 metres for three years but only decided to take it seriously at the start of the summer athletics season last May.

Since then, he has broken the Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club U14s 200m record twice and reached the semi-finals of the English Schools Championship in the event at Nottingham last week.

Daniel, whose footballer brother Craig is on the books at Birmingham City, became the first U14 since 1987 to run 200m in under 24 seconds when he broke Andrew Nock's 15-year-old record in May.

At Nottingham he set another personal best, running his first round heat in 23.69 secs before coming close again with a time of 23.82 secs in the semi-finals despite not qualifying for the final.

And his achievement is made even more remarkable given that he missed the whole of last season with a hamstring injury.

Daniel, who trains twice a week with coach Yvonne Priestman, said: "I didn't think I would do this well but I hope to have a better season next year.

"I would like to get my time down to 23.5secs (national standard) when I use starting blocks."

The South Bromsgrove High School pupil, who runs 100m in 11.7 secs, has also won numerous district and county titles as well as many 100m and 200m races at the Charford Road school.

His mother, Michelle, said: "He has always been a fast runner and used to break the school record at St John's Middle School.

"I am pleased with what he has done - he doesn't think he can run as fast as he can but if he saw a video of himself, he would.

"We never thought he would take it seriously but it helps if you're not injured."