A schoolboy from Datchworth claimed a silver medal in the javelin at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Held at the Hasley Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Tom Rutter throw a PB of 67.54m to secure second place in a competition where most, including the eventual winner, were a year older.

The Richard Hale School pupil, who managed the feat in the first round, is currently ranked number one in the UK for the U17 age group.

He has broken the Hertfordshire county record every year he has competed.

The youth games had been his goal from the start of the year when he went through rigorous and extensive strength and conditioning work.

His determination to reach the qualifiying standard for the event came at the end of May and he was the only male thrower from England to be selected. 

His next goal is to secure sponsorship to elevate him into and up the senior ranks.

Tom's mother, Caroline, said: "It is so hard to get funding for athletics and even more so as a thrower. 

"For throwers there is a cost factor as we do have to buy him javelins which are now around the £1,000 mark, which we will again as he is now going up a weight to the men's javelin as he goes into U20. 

"He has been doing this since he was nine-years-old and we think he has shown so much grit and determination to continue with his training like he has and obviously succeeding to a high standard."

Follow his career on Instagram at tom_rutter1.