As part of The Bolton News series of columns on local athletes, we have turned the spotlight on some of the brightest talents at Horwich RMI Harriers.

This week we chart the rise of talented runner James Lovell JAMES started running as a nine-year-old and was inspired by a trip to Bolton Arena to watch Horwich Harriers. When he first started to compete his events were the 100m, 200m and long jump.

He quickly realised he was a good runner as a result of winning races, and was enjoying it.

The long jump was put on the back burner, as he wanted to concentrate on running.

Since then he has worked solely on getting faster and stronger with a strict diet and exercise routine and training three days a week.

He feels lucky to have this chance of being the best, and has always felt that one day this will be his destiny.

James is the fastest u17s boys indoor 600m runner this year.

He also received the athlete-of-the-year award for the second year running as well as being given the captaincy of the u17s side.

He recently competed in the national championships at 400m in Sheffield, and it is his ambition to be the fastest 400m runner in the UK.

His dream this summer is to be in the top five in the UK at the 400m distance.

He has been training really hard to try to realise his goal.

He is working on his physique and strength and his dedicated coach Steve Thomas is helping him to do this.

James believes he has become mentally stronger – a key factor to becoming a top athlete.