An 18-year-old Sussex computer whizzkid has been named one of the World Economic Forum's 100 "global leaders of tomorrow".

Tom Hadfield, founder of the web sites Soccernet and Schoolsnet, is already worth an estimated £7.5 million - and is still studying for his A-levels at Varndean College, Brighton.

A computer buff from an early age, he founded the soccer site aged 12 and developed it with his father, Greg, into one of the most popular on the internet.

During the 1998 World Cup up to 300,000 people visited the site every day.

The pair sold 60 per cent of Soccernet to Disney last year for £15 million and established Schoolsnet, now one of the largest UK education web sites.

Tom is among 11 Britons under 40 chosen by the forum - an international non-profit foundation which promotes entrepreneurism - along with public health minister Yvette Cooper and Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

Greg, who is chairman and editor-in-chief of Schoolsnet, said he was very proud of what his son had achieved, not least because "he always manages to keep his feet on the ground".

Tom said: "I am delighted and flattered - it's a real honour. It's a great opportunity for me to learn from others and perhaps to contribute something myself - certainly I'm looking forward to Davos."

He was referring to the Forum's annual conference in Davos, Switzerland, which is held in January.

But first, he has to survive an interview at Exeter College, Oxford, next month for a place to read politics, philosophy and economics.