CULLERCOATS hurdler Niall Flannery is focused on the London Olympics after tasting victory at the UK School Games.

The sprinter picked up the 400- metre hurdle title at the games in Coventry at the weekend.

And he hopes the victory will kick- start his road to London where he aims to emulate his heroes.

All the youngsters at the games were treated to a special guest appearance from Olympic gold medal winner Darren Campbell at the event.

With the 2012 games less than five years away,Flannery know now is the time to put the hard work in.

"I was completely star-struck when I saw Darren Campbell,"he said."I would love to emulate him and what better time to do it than at the London Olympics.

"I was absolutely elated to win at the games.I 've taken a big chunk off my personal best and when I stood on that podium,a shiver went down my spine."

Flannery crossed the line in a time of 52.57 seconds,shaving almost a second off his lifetime best.

"I 've been running since I was eight and I am hooked on the sport,"

he added.

"Some people choose sports like football purely for the money,but I 'm just happy to compete in a sport I love.

"It would be amazing to go to the Olympic games in London.I remember watching us get the bid on TV and being so excited.

"To compete in my home country would be incredible and that 's my dream."

Elsewhere,table tennis star Paul Drinkhall inspired the North-East region to the team title for the second consecutive year.

Drinkhall,17,missed out on retaining his individual title when he slipped to defeat at the quarter final stage to Scotland 's Craig Howieson.

But the Middlesbrough-born man rallied his team-mates and picked up the gold courtesy of a 4-2 victory over the South-East team.

The Big Lottery Fund,which has an £850m track record in funding grass- roots sport,is supporting the UK School Games.