SHE may have rubbed shoulders with the likes of David Beckham and have the world in her sights but for award-winning young sprinter Amy Spencer education comes first.

The fleet-footed 16-year-old made history at the weekend when she became the first ever recipient of the BBC's Young Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Amy, a pupil at Bolton School, picked up the silver trophy for young sporting achievers at a glittering London ceremony.

The honour came after a string of high profile race successes for youngster.

She came second in the World 200m under 18s championships, she is already an under 20s international and she was the youngest ever winner of the under 20s indoor 200m championship. The talented teenager, who lives in Aspull, rubbed shoulders with David Beckham winner of the senior award, and his Manchester United manager Sir Alec Ferguson at the televised ceremony.

Amy, who travelled to London with her parents Julie and Graham was picked from hundreds of nominations.

Her trophy remains in London where it is being engraved and Amy returned triumphant to her school yesterday.

Amy said: "It was amazing, a real honour. It was really special to be the first person to win this award. My parents were very proud of me and I saw my dad's eyes well up."

Liverpool striker Michael Owen presented the teenager with her award.

She said: "It was amazing meeting Michael Owen and David Beckham and I couldn't believe they knew my name. They were really nice to me, they congratulated me and said it was a real achievement. They were even better looking in real life than they are on the television."

The level headed sixth form pupil, who hopes to be selected for the forthcoming World under 20s championship in Jamaica, says schoolwork still comes first.

She said: "My education is my top priority at the moment and I have a lot of work to do."

Bolton School Girls Divison headteacher Jane Panton was full of praise for her prize-winning pupil.

"I think the remarkable thing about Amy is that she is so modest," she said. "She is keeping her head about it and sees her school work as very important. We bask in her reflective glory."

Amy added that she wanted to thank everyone who had supported her with special thanks to her dad Graham.