Air Cadet James Brown has soared into the national cross-country championships.

The fleet-footed teenager from Sinnington struck gold in the Inter-Wing North of England championships at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

Showing a clean pair of heels to his rivals the First-Class Cadet 1323 (Ryedale Squadron) was first in the junior boys' section while representing the Central and East Yorkshire Wing of the Air Training Corps. That propelled the Lady Lumley's School, Pickering, pupil into the Inter-region national championships to be held at RAF College Cramwell on January 13.

James has been a star of the cross-country circuit since running the show at Sinnington Junior School. For the past four years he has represented Lady Lumley's and has also competed in two junior events in the Great North Run.

Stamina is no stranger to the youngster. Besides training regularly with his dad, Roy, James also pounds the miles as a newspaper delivery boy for the Evening Press.

tony.kelly@ycp.co.uk