VETERAN sprinter Darren Scott left youngsters behind at the North of England Championships as he stepped up preparations for September's World Masters Championships in Italy.

The 38-year-old, who lives in Frodsham, snapped up bronze over 100m at Liverpool and was edged into fourth over 200m.

He came close to season's best times at both distances, clocking 10.87 seconds and 21.78.

He stressed competing on the Wavertree track he trains at wasn't necessarily an advantage as familiarity can work both ways.

'Not going to a different venue can mean you are not sparked up but it was a good meeting to be fair,' added the Trafford AC runner.

'I was wearing my GB Masters vest and some of the youngsters were saying 'That old man's beating us again'!

Already this season, Scott has picked up two gold and a silver at the World Veterans Indoor Championships.

He added: 'The main target now is the World Masters and if I can get down to 10.7 and 21.5, I'll be in with a shout of being a medallist.'