A young north Norfolk man has proven he is among the best up-and-coming athletes in the country by claiming victory in an 800-metre race at a Home Counties International meeting in Cardiff.

Henry Jonas, 18 and from East Runton, was part of England’s under-20 men’s team in what was his first international call-up.

Jonas led the two-lap event from gun to tape, clocking 1min 50.68secs. The impressive victory was preceded earlier in the week in Watford where a warm-up 800-metre event saw him post 1min 49.46secs.

This was a personal best time which saw him rise to fifth in the UK’s under-20 rankings.

Also in June, at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, Jonas represented Norfolk in the senior boys' 800-metres at the English Schools championships, securing his first national championship gold.

After attending his first training session nine years ago at the then-newly formed North Norfolk Harriers, this September sees Jonas depart for Loughborough to study engineering, and where he will receive further expert coaching from what is widely accepted as the centre of athletics excellence in the UK.