A GUTSY Stourbridge youngster who broke both his legs when he was knocked off his bike by a car has battled back to fitness to take first place in a race in the school sports competition.

Tom Grove began the school year at Pedmore Technology and Community School late after the accident last year but the determined year eight student made an impressive comeback by winning the 1500-metres at the school’s first all years sports day held at The Dell Stadium in Brierley Hill on July 1.

The 13-year-old said: “I’ve made a good recovery and built up my muscles and I’m really proud of my achievement.”

Another star of the event was 13-year-old Ben Tuka, who won the 100m, 200m and 800m in his first sports day at the school - having moved to the area from France last year.

The sports day follows an inter-school Olympics event at Himley Hall, organised by The Stourbridge Educational Trust, which saw youngsters from Pedmore competing against Ridgewood High, Redhill School and Thorns Comunity College students in an array of Olympic sports including golf, rugby, handball, tennis, volleyball, mountain biking and softball.

Following its success, a bigger Olympic-inspired sports event is being planned for next year to mark the 2012 London Olympics.