MEDAL hauls at national and international competitions have earned Harvey Burns a place on the England Judo squad for 2018.

The Furness Judo Club player ended 2017 with a string of top-drawer performances at home and abroad.

Burn won silver in Belgium, representing England in the International Flanders Cup.

The Furness Academy pupil won five fights, four by the maximum score of Ippon, against Israeli, Belgian and Dutch opponents, before losing to another strong Israeli in the final.

Despite that last defeat, this was a massive result for the teenager in a strong European event against tough competitors, with the England coaching staff positive and impressed by his efforts.

Burns followed up his efforts in Belgium with another silver at the Welsh Open Championships in Newport, South Wales.

He won his first four fights on this way to the final, where he fought well and put up a good show before being caught with a throw towards the end of the fight for what was still a good result in a national ranking event.

The talented youngster finished his year with an impressive bronze medal in the British Championships at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield.

Burns battled his way through the early rounds, before losing his semi-final. He won his next fight to ensure the medal.

The Furness Judo Club ace end the judo calendar year in September ranked second in Great Britain, and is ranked third going into 2018.

He has moved up to a new heavier weight class of under-55kg, meaning he has a new challenge ahead fighting heavier opponents.

His results mean Burns will be part of the England Judo squad at Cadet level in the under-50kg weight class.

He thanked Furness Academy and Furness Judo Club for their continued support.