TEEN sprint ace Stuart Barnes is doing his level best to follow in the footsteps of Birmingham's world track star Mark Lewis-Francis.

The 17-year-old rising Redditch flyer clocked up a personal best 10.74secs to win 100m silver at the English Schools Athletic Association Track & Field Championships at the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield last weekend.

And the Arrow Vale Community High School A-Level student is certainly on track for success by rubbing shoulders with former world junior champion Francis at the famous Birchfield Harriers club.

Barnes, the 100m and 200m county champion, switched from being a speedy defender in his football team to the school's athletic outfit two years ago - and has never looked back.

But any hopes of a full-time track career may have to be put on hold until after he completes his A-levels in P.E, French and English next summer.

But Stuart will take part in junior league meetings for the Harriers this summer.

Meanwhile, there was further success for Redditch athletes at Sheffield with 15-year-old Kingsley College student Cori Stanton qualifying for the 800m and Arrow Vale's Matthew Addison making the 1500m finals. Hereford & Worcester won four medals overall - including a gold in the long jump.