IT was third time lucky for a teenage maths champion who took first place in a Europe-wide contest.

Filip Szary, 13, won gold medals for coming first in Britain and Europe in the competition which was entered by more than 810,000 people from around the world.

The budding Pythagoras earned sixth place globally after he successfully answered 114 randomly generated maths questions in the one-minute online challenge.

It was the third time that the Blackburn pupil, who attends St Bede’s College and lives on Fielding Crescent, had taken part in the UNICEF-backed event but the first time he’s taken top spot.

It was an impressive addition to his already impressive record of two silver British and European medals earnt in 2011 and 2012.

Filip, who answered questions on multiplication, addition and subtraction, said: “It was third time lucky but I expected to do quite well because I’d been training hard.

“My next aim is to go for the international gold next year so I’m not going to take a break.”

Yet despite his talent, Filip only recently became interested in maths.

He said: “I only got into it a few years ago when my dad made me realise that maths is used everywhere in everyday life.

“I found that thought fascinating and it’s been my favourite subject ever since.”

Once he leaves high school, Filip hopes to become a ship builder.

He said: “I’ve always loved ships, especially liners and warships, so it seems like a good career path.

“Hopefully, if I get into a good university it will put me on my way to achieving my ambition.”

His proud mum, Magda Barszczewska, 34, said: “I was the happiest mum ever. He got very spoilt as a reward.”