A VETERAN athlete formerly from Bewdley showed he's lost none of his prowess by producing a fabulous performance at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Finland.

Competing in the 40 to 45 age group category James Colclough clocked an incredible 50.99secs to finish fourth in the 400 metres.

James won his heat in Finland and then finished third in the semi-finals to book his place in the final, where the winner clocked under 50 seconds.

James also lined up for Great Britain's relay team and should have won a silver medal in the 4 x 100 metres when the team came home second - only to be disqualified as one of his fellow team members exchanged the baton outside of the handover box.

He was then part of the British 4 x400 relay squad which finished fourth.

James had warmed up for the World Masters by being crowned the 400 metres champion at the British Masters event which took place in Derby when he clocked a very creditable 51.59 secs.

Proud dad John Colclough said: " I first took James to Stourport Athletic Club, which is now Kidderminster and Stourport, when he was nine years old and he still has a strong association with the club, although he now lives in Bournville.

"James is now 43 years old and it's remarkable that he has still managed to keep going, to such a high standard.

"He's been trying to break 50 seconds for a long time now. He ran 50.5secs when he was 16 years old, so it just shows what a high standard he's achieve over the years."