A YOUNG Herefordshire canoeist has shown himself to be a potential top international performer with a top six finish on his first appearance for Great Britain.

George Tatchell, aged 15, took part in the canoe slalom at the pre-world championships in Roudnice-Nad-Labem in the Czech Republic.

The discipline involves racing through gates down fast-flowing white water. Competitors complete two runs with the results combined and penalties added for hitting part of a gate or missing it totally.

Tatchell has been selected for the GB squad for the past two years but previously was too young to compete under international rules.

On his international debut he had been hoping to come in the top 20 but was delighted with his two runs which placed him first in his age group.

Next year's junior world championships take place at the same venue.

Tatchell attends Ellesmere College in Shropshire where he was recently named the outstanding sportsman of the year.