EUROPEAN glory is Tom Somers' big wish for 2015.

The York teenager, who was asked this week to remain in British Athletics' Futures Programme for the next 12 months, has targeted a medal at the European Junior Championships, in Eskilstuna, Sweden, in July.

Somers' first season in under-20s was a huge success, with the 17-year-old posting the fastest 200 metre time for his age - 20.37 seconds - since Usain Bolt at the IAAF World Junior Championships in the summer.

Ranked top of the class in his age group, the Queen Ethelburga's School student now wants the medals to back up his stunning track times.

"I am really happy to be in the scheme for the second year," Yearsley-based Somers said of his inclusion in the Futures project. "It helped me a lot last year. It took a lot of pressure off my parents, financially, and it is nice to be recognised. It is helping me try to get to the next level.

"You get lots of advice and guidance - about whether you should or should not be racing.

"I am looking forward to next season. Last year was my first in under-20s. I was surprised with how far I got and I am looking to capitalise and keep improving. I am aiming to go to the European Juniors.

"I didn't win a medal last season (in the Worlds) and I am going there to try and get one. I have a target in my mind of the sort of time I want to run next season but I am just looking to keep improving year on year."

On his rapid rise up the ladder, which sees Somers ranked only behind Adam Gemili and Daniel Talbot in the Great Britain 200m senior set up, the youngster added: "It all came as a bit of a shock. I knew I was in good form at the Worlds but I didn't think I was running that quick.

"To find out about Usain Bolt in the all-time list was a great and weird feeling. It is something I still haven't got used to. It was also a shock to see I was ranked so high in the seniors. The senior level is massively different.

"The times vary a lot. At junior level it is quite close. It is quite nice to run against the seniors, who run some quicker times a bit more often. But I am quite happy to keep competing in juniors or seniors and keep trying to push myself."