STOCKTON cycle ace Chris Newton became the first Teessider for 52 years to win an Olympic medal after Great Britain's 4000m pursuit team secured bronze in Sydney.

Newton and team-mates Paul Manning, Bradley Wiggins and Bryan Steel set their third new national record of the Games with 4:01.979 to finish four seconds clear of France in the bronze medal match.

The 26-year-old's success made up for his disappointment at the Atlanta games four years ago when he finished tenth in the team pursuit event, but tonsilitis prevented him from taking part in the time trials.

The medal also vindicates his decision five years ago to give up his sports science degree to concentrate on cycling.

Newton also has the chance to win more medals. He is in the individual road race squad and may be selected for the men's road race on Wednesday.

Teesside's last Olympic medallist was Norton-born Michael Walford, who won a silver in the men's hockey at the London Games of 1948.

Before that, Guisborough sprinter William Applegarth claimed a 4x100m relay gold and 200m bronze at the 1912 Stockholm games, where Middlesbrough swimmer Jack Hatfield won two silvers and a bronze in the freestyle programme.

l Barnard Castle's Karen Dixon was lying in ninth place on Too Smart after the cross country in the individual three day event competition with 50.40.

l Teenage swimmer Nicola Jackson was the toast of Richmond after achieving a personal best time in the 4x200m freestyle relay final.

The talented 16-year-old, who swam the first leg, rose to the occasion as she helped the British team to sixth place and a new British record time of 8:03.69.

Lessons were suspended at Nicola's school in Richmond on Wednesday morning as pupils and staff watched live TV coverage of the race on a giant screen put up in the main hall.

Nicola, a member of both the Richmond Dales and Derwentside swimming clubs, responded superbly to the glare of the Olympic spotlight as she produced a burst of speed down the final length.

The United States won gold in a gripping race, but the British quartet of Jackson, Karen Legg, Janine Belton and Karen Pickering were pleased with their time.

l Rower Alison Mowbray, a former pupil of Richmond School whose parents still live in the town, missed out on a place in the Olympic final of the womens single sculls when she finished sixth in her semi-final