Edward Kennett is celebrating a remarkable performance in the British under-21 speedway championship.

The 16-year-old whizzkid from Magham Down in East Sussex finished third in a 24-strong field at Sheffield after getting a late call-up.

Kennett, an Eastbourne Eagles protege and the youngest rider in the competition, now gets a place in the next stage of the world under-21 championship, either in Austria or at Poole next month.

He said: "I'm so excited I can't remember much about the meeting. I didn't expect anything. I just went out to do my best, and coming in the top three is like a dream."

It was only the second time Kennett had ridden at the Owlerton Stadium and he had to master a difficult track after heavy rain.

The meeting was run on Grand Prix-style lines, and Kennett, after starting with a win, had to get through four more races to reach the final.

The meeting was won by Workington's Simon Stead, completing a hat-trick of British under-21 titles a day before his 21st birthday. Stead is also attached to Eastbourne but has yet to make his debut.

The five riders through to the next round of the World Championship are Stead, Allen, Kennett, Andrew Appleton and Harris.