Telford Olympic star Aidan Reynolds lands Oxford place

The 18-year-old javelin thrower – who shot to fame after helping light the Olympic flame at the opening ceremony to the London games – will study physics at Oxford.

Telford Athletics Club member Aidan, from Randlay, in Telford, gained two A* in maths and physics and two A grades in further maths and IT in his A-levels at Thomas Telford School.

The delighted teenager said: "It's been an absolutely unbelievable few weeks. There has been so much going on, I'm absolutely exhausted now.

"I've had a summer I will never forget, it's just been fantastic.

"Being part of the Olympic ceremony was incredible. To be in the stadium and to hear the noise of the crowd is something I will never forget.

"And now I've got the grades I needed to go to Oxford.

"I was always pretty confident I would but it was still nice when it was all confirmed. I can't wait to get started now."

Aidan, who is both Welsh and county javelin champion and is now at a javelin camp in Wales, said he wanted to continue combining his athletics with his academic studies.

Aidan's dad Shaun Reynolds described his son's summer as "relentless."

He said: "It's been a bit of a rollercoaster really.

"It's just been one thing after another but it's all been fun and I know Aidan has had a fantastic time.

"I'm very proud of him and his sister Amelia, who is studying medicine in Nottingham.

"Aidan is one of those lucky people. Most things come very naturally to him but he also works very hard."

Mr Reynolds also gave his thanks to Thomas Telford School and Randlay Primary School, in Telford, for the support they had given Aidan.