A REIGNING world champion has predicted a bright future for George Hyde, who is hoping to complete a flawless season in the next 10 days.

The former Weaverham High School student goes for gold in his age group at the English Track and Field Championships this weekend before representing England North during the 2017 School Games at Loughborough next week.

Training partner John Nicholls, a fellow shot-put thrower who has won world and European over 50s titles this year, has tipped the 16-year-old to shine.

"I see great things for George," said Nicholls.

"He had the disappointment of not getting picked for the Commonwealth Youth Games, but he dusted himself down and tried something new to see if he can throw further.

"That's what I like about him – that attitude, and the fact any time there's a big competition he does his biggest throws.

"You can't coach that, that's in him, his ability to rise to the occasion rather than letting the occasion hit him.

"There's a lot of good quality athletes who go to big competitions and then run or jump or throw nowhere near what they should do.

"The bigger the competition the better George gets, which means between the ears he's got what it takes.

"To me, that's his biggest attribute."

Hyde has taken the opportunity to practice alongside Nicholls while learning from coaches Dave McKay, at West Cheshire Athletics Club, and Dennis Roscoe - a throwing expert and former international.

The teenager won regional and national indoor shot titles in his age category early in 2017 before adding county club and schools' gold medals.

While representing Cheshire, he successfully defended his national schools' inter boys' title to secure a spot in England's team for a School International Athletics Board meeting in Dublin.

Again, he was the best of the bunch.

"I'm the old stager trying to give him the benefit of my experience," quipped Nicholls.

"Dennis has put on me everything he ever learned, and that's what I'm trying to do now for George.

"He's a quality shot-putter and he's a belting lad who trains hard.

"I give him words of advice, and the beauty of him is if you tell him something he goes to the circle and tries it."

Hyde is one of around 1,600 athletes due to compete across a dozen sports during four days of competition in Loughborough, providing him with valuable experience of competing at the highest level while living in a dedicated athletes’ village.

And he is hoping to follow in the footsteps of some of Britain’s biggest sporting stars who have taken part in the School Games before going on enjoy international success as seniors.

Previous competitors include Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic gold-medallist Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and sprinter Adam Gemili.