A King’s School pupil is celebrating sporting success after securing silver at the World Schools Orienteering Championships.

Edmund Grierson came second in the middle distance race in Ficuzza, Sicily, last month, helping England to clinch silver overall in the final standings.

The 14-year-old qualified for the event by competing in an orienteering race in Sutton Colfield back in October.

The year 10 pupil said: “The race was short and competition was fierce so I could not afford to make any mistakes. I was overjoyed to be in the team and excited at the thought of wearing a full England kit.”

Edmund, who is already a member of the junior England orientating team, said it was his goal to compete in the world schools event as an individual.

The teenager had to complete a course through the national park of Corleone but said visibility was ‘very limited’.

Edmund, of Silver Street, said: “You need to plan your route and run as fast as possible. Slight navigation mistakes can cost seconds and lead to losing the race. The terrain includes a fiendishly savage plant that grows in the woods of Devon. I won my race by going for every second by using my compass to take bearings to the best of my ability.

“My kit was cut to ribbons but when I ran in to be announced as first I was thrilled. Gonzalez from Spain narrowly beat me but to come second in the world was incredible.

“I loved Sicily and had a lot of fun with my team from across England. The team enjoyed our silver and carrying our huge trophy through Rome and Heathrow airports. I will work hard to be selected for the next World Schools’ event in Latvia.”

His parents Peter and Katharine added: “We are immensely proud of Edmund and are hugely impressed by his achievement in such a competitive atmosphere.

The King’s School pupil has now been selected for a GB junior orienteering performance squad and will be training in the Cairngorms in the summer.