Gregor (16), a member of the Montrose and District Athletics Club, smashed his previous personal best by 40cm as he powered his way to the top of the British U17 rankings at the UK Athletics Jumps/Throws fest in Birmingham with a vault of 4.40m, or 14.5 feet.

He has now qualified to represent Scotland at the UK Schools Games and has put himself in contention to be selected to appear at the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in India this year.

He is also set to compete at the Schools' International at Bedford later in the month, will enter the English Athletics Age-Group Championships, and will now travel to Birmingham on a regular basis to attend Pole Vault School.

Gregor, whose long term ambition is to compete in pole-vault at the full Commonwealth and Olympic Games, said he was delighted to beat his PB and to achieve number one status, but said he wasn't going to rest on his laurels and is intending to better his record in upcoming competitions.

"It's great," he said. "I wanted to get up in the rankings but I ended up getting number one. I didn't even know at the time that it was a Scottish record until after.

"I actually could have gone higher but hurt my arm on the last vault and had to withdraw. It's okay now though.

"I'm just going to keep training and try to stay number one, as I'm only top by one centimetre. I need to vault higher to pull further away."

That isn't an unrealistic prospect for Gregor though, who regularly clears 4.50m in training. His first chance to better his new record comes at the Mens' League fixture at Grangemouth this weekend, before he heads to Birmingham the following week to take part in the Schools' International.

But the new pole-vault record wasn't the only reason for Gregor to celebrate at the jump/throws fest. He also became the fourth best javelin thrower in the country after beating his own previous PB by 10m with a throw of 46.54m, winning the competition on the day.

If he is to fulfil his undoubted potential as an athlete though, Gregor needs sponsorship to pay for rising fuel and equipment costs, as well as tournament entry fees.

Local barber shop Uppercut, on Murray Street, have done their bit with a £500 cheque towards his development, and he has already received support from Robert Ritchie HiFi. Gregor was delighted to receive the support of the two companies, but is hopeful that more people can come forward and help him achieve his dreams.

He said: "I go to Grangemouth once a week for training - which costs £30 a go - and I'll be going to Birmingham for Pole Vault School regularly now.

"There are also equipment costs, spikes, tracksuits and competition fees. It is expensive so I'm hopeful more people will come forward."

If you would like to sponsor Gregor, contact the Review on 01674 672605.

Uppercut's Mike Holm (left) and Kathryn Fenton are pictured presenting UK U17 pole vault number one, Gregor MacLean, with a cheque for £500.