A talented young sprinter from Stockton has benefited from a trip organised by UK Athletics World Class Talent Programme.

Seventeen-year-old Richard Kilty has been coached by former international athlete Jared Deacon for the past 6 months and recently met Olympic champion Linford Christie during a trip to Brunel University.

Kilty, who trains three times a week at the Tees Active Sports Academy at Gateshead, recently won the gold medal at the North of England U20’s championship 200m race with a time of 21.70.

Tees Active began operating in May 2004 and employs around 370 staff and is a non-profit-distributing organisation.

The trust manages six Active Life Centres – Billingham Forum, Splash, Thornaby Pavilion, Stockton Sports Centre, Thornaby Pool and Castlegate Quay Watersports.