TOM Lancashire blew away the opposition to win his first English Schools title with a brave and devastating display of front running.

The BEN's Young Sports Personality of the Year pulled off the biggest win of his career in the packed and sun-drenched Harvey Hadden Stadium in Nottingham.

The 17-year-old Bolton Harrier was the youngest in the Under 20 field, and on paper was only an outside bet for the title with a personal best of 3:53.5.

His rivals included Colin McCourt of Bournemouth, top of the UK Under 20 lists with a recent 3:44 clocking. Once the gun went however, the form book went out of the window.

Lancashire scorched to a 58 second first lap, and only McCourt took up the challenge. The Turton youngster cruised the second lap before another surge along the back straight took him away from the demoralised favourite, who then dropped out.

The gap of 20 metres gradually closed as the pack gave chase but another kick and a last lap of 59 seconds was enough for a decisive victory of well over a second.

This latest triumph comes after a British Schools' international win last year and Northern Under 20 Gold already this season. The time of 3:48.91 was a massive personal best, and only six seconds outside a UK senior top ten ranking.

Despite the heat in the stadium, Lancashire was only three seconds down on one of the oldest Championship records in the book. With the Bolton man improving at this rate, the 19 year-old mark may be living on borrowed time when he returns to defend his title next year.

He is now one of the favourites for an English Schools Cross-Country title after his eighth place last winter, and his move into the Under 20 age-group opens up the possibility of Great Britain selections for the European or World Cross-Country Championships.