TALENTED young cricketer Jack Leaning has capped a superb summer with an award from the York & District Sports Federation's Fund For The Gifted.

The Archbishop Holgate's School pupil's form for Heworth Under-13s led to a call-up to the North of England team to play in the English Schools' Cricket Association Under-13s festival in Taunton.

The Heworth youngster also starred as captain of Yorkshire U13s this summer, scoring his maiden century for the county against Cumbria.

Leaning, 13, received a £150 grant from the fund to put towards the cost of equipment or travel.

The fund's latest executive meeting also granted £150 to up-and-coming swimming star Anna Ward, a member of York City Baths Club.

Anna was one of five York swimmers to qualify for the British Age Group Nationals and ASA Youth Nationals, in Ponds Forge, Sheffield, earlier this year.

However, although ten-year-old Ward qualified on her times, she was too young to swim in the event.

The Fund For The Gifted is open to amateur sports people under the age of 18 at the time of application, who wish to improve personal standards of performance.

Applicants must live in York or attend schools in York which are members of the York & District Schools Athletics Association.

The youngsters must demonstrate a proven record of achievement or commitment to their sport and must, in the view of the executive committee, be capable of further improvement.

The grants can be used to fund travel to special training, travel to competitions, coaching fees or personal equipment.

Further information about the fund is available by phoning John Bunyan on 01904 700693.