MORE than 7,000 spectators witnessed Stourbridge schoolboy Gary Hickman bagging a bronze medal at the 2005 British Indoor Rowing Championship - the country's biggest indoor sporting event.

The 12-year-old raced in the Men's Junior 13 three-minute category at the event at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, completing 825 metres to claim third place.

His younger sister Nicola, 11, also competed in the event.

More than 3,000 rowers took part in this year's tournament, ranging from 10-year-old rowing novices to a 95-year-old Second World War veteran.

The event saw a large number of youngsters race as part of the Sir Steve Redgrave Challenge and the heroic Olympian was there in person to cheer on the competitors.

The project is designed to encourage more children to exercise and stay healthy through indoor rowing and has proved incredibly popular.

Hickman took up the sport when pupils at Windmill Middle School, which he attends, took part in a sponsored indoor rowing challenge to raise funds for the Tsunami charity appeal earlier this year.

His rowing is not confined to rowing machines, he has recently taken to the water after becoming a member of Stourport Boat Club.

Mother Donna Hickman said: "I'm extremely proud."

l Oar-some: Gary Hickman parades his bronze medal.