A 14-YEAR-OLD Burnley boy stunned his friends and gained himself a place in the Lancashire pool team after winning the Pontin's Young Pool Champion 2002.

Stuart Whittaker, of Pomfrey Street, was right on cue when he took part in the 11 to 14 section of the competition.

The Habergham pupil took part in the final of the competition while at the company's Prestatyn Sands centre in North Wales, in November, where he was encouraged by his dad and some friends.

He quickly knocked out 71 finalists out of hundreds of contestants who entered the event at the eight Pontin's family centres during the summer.

Stuart, who has two brothers and a sister, said: "I don't play pool a lot but I was quite confident. I used to take part in the competitions when I was younger but I hadn't taken part for a quite a while.

"It was knockout style competition and then I got in to the final which was great. I beat another 14-year-old lad 4 - 1. I also got asked to join the county team because one of the referees spotted me and he knew someone linked to the team.

"The county league season has just finished so it won't be until next season now. I didn't expect that at all."

Stuart received a cheque for £100 and a trophy for his mantelpiece.