TOM BOLGER has been crowned British Indoor Climbing Champion.

Tom, a Year 10 student at Oakbank Sports College, has travelled the country taking part in top 'climbing wall' competitions. He clocked up two first places in the events - and was second inthe third competition in the series to take the Under-16 title.

The 15-year-old has also won the British Junior Boldering Championship which involves shorter climbs, often with more difficult moves.

Now Tom, who is a member of the British Junior Team, is lying fifth in the European Championships after the first round in Austria and is looking forward to climbing with the British team in Italy, Switzerland and Slovenia later in the summer.

He will also be climbing in the world junior championships in Bulgaria later in the year.

His first climbed up the wall of barn while on a family holiday in the Lake District.

"I liked it so much I went for a trial session at the Leeds Wall and really love the sport," he said.

Now he dreams of doing more difficult climbs. "There are some very technical climbs in this country including the Northern Lights route at Kilnsey Cragg," he said.

And he is also aiming to become European and World Champion to add to his British titles.