A TEENAGE rowing prospect is living up to expectations after being chosen for selective coaching purely because of his size.

Less than a year since his selection for the World Class Start programme, 6ft 8in novice oarsman Harry Scarr is starting to enjoy success at national level.

Along with Durham City Amateur Rowing Club teammate Tom Robson, 17-year-old Harry won a silver medal in the junior double sculls at last weekend's national championships which were held on the River Clyde, near Glasgow.

Harry, the bigger but less experienced of the duo, also reached the semi-final in the junior single sculls.

Eighteen-year-old Tom went on to achieve a bronze.

Andrew Baird, the British International Rowing talent development coach, said that Harry could become a leading contender for the 2012 Olympics if he continued to improve at the rate which he had displayed over the past ten months.

His success has changed the life of the Easington Colliery teenager, who had littlesporting prowess a year ago.

He said: "I wasn't really bothered with sport yet now I'm out on the river training six days a week as well as going in the gym.

Mr Baird said Harry's size was the initial attraction when the World Class Start programme was scouting for new talent last summer.

He said: "We look to identify new talent in areas where you wouldn't normally find it, and then to put them on a programme to find the Olympic champions of the future.

"This was one of three pilot schemes nationally and he's one of the top performing athletes in all the groups."

Mr Baird said that Harry would have to put in extensive training over the next decade if he hoped to fulfil his dream of appearing at the Olympic Games.