Sam Thornton announced himself to Europe’s best juniors this year but the Baildon diver hasn’t ruled out doing the same to the rest of the world in just over a year’s time.

The 14-year-old Woodhouse Grove School pupil has enjoyed a fine 2011, culminating in a first-ever appearance for Britain at the European Junior Diving Championships in Belgrade in late June.

Thornton, who is a member of the City of Bradford Esprit Diving Club, immediately looked at home on the international stage in Serbia, claiming one-metre springboard bronze.

And, despite enjoying a whirlwind season, Thornton has no intention of slowing down any time soon with his sights set on next October’s World Junior Diving Championships in Adelaide.

“I had a great season and it really couldn’t have gone much better really,” said Thornton. “The highlight has to have been just being selected for the European juniors, and then to leave with bronze was brilliant.

“That was the first time I had ever dived for Great Britain in a European competition and it was a great honour and experience, and I am definitely hungry to do it again soon.

“My next big competition isn’t until next April now with the Elite Junior Championships but I can take a lot of confidence from what I have done this year.

“If I do well there then I have a chance of going to the Junior World Championships in Australia next October, and hopefully I can do well there too.”

Thornton’s exploits on the board haven’t gone unnoticed with Kellogg’s highlighting the teenager as one of their Champions of Tomorrow.

As part of the scheme he will be mentored by 2008 Beijing Olympian Nick Robinson-Baker, something Thornton insists will only make him better.

“It is a big boost when I found out I was chosen for the Kellogg’s scheme because it makes everything I do worthwhile,” he added.

“And being mentored by Nick is really going to help me – it is going to be great having someone there to talk to and to give me advice.

“I have met him a couple of times before at the British Championships and he is really nice and I can’t wait to see how much he can improve my diving.”

* Kellogg’s have been supporting British swimming for more than 15 years on a ‘grass-roots to gold medals’ programme of swimming.

Visit www.kelloggs.co.uk/swimming for more information.

BEN BAKER