Veteran York runner Bryan Shearsmith was in inspired form at the British Veterans' Athletic Championships.

And one of the main beneficiaries of his sprinting endeavours was his newly-born grandson Josh Newton.

The baby, who was born ten weeks premature, was gifted the 100 metres gold medal, which was seized in a time of 13.19 seconds to complete Shearsmith's third British blue riband sprint title in the last four years.

The proud 60-year-old grandfather, who works for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust in York, completed a sparkling sprint double at the Thames Valley Athletics track in Eton.

Besides the 100m he also added the 200m gold to his collection.

It was fitting reward for his brave battle back to fitness from a niggling hamstring injury, which dashed his medal chances in the recent European championships in France.

Prior to that he had reigned supreme in the veterans' indoor championships in Cardiff, where he plundered a gold and three silvers.

But he has recovered all the old spring in his step to since capture the Eastern Vets' title at Southend, the sprint prizes at the prestigious Manchester Games, and also in the Northern Vets at Warrington.

Updated: 12:39 Friday, June 29, 2001