ON the evidence of the past two weeks, Trowbridge runner Will Stockley looks like he has re-discovered his mojo.

After a couple of years in the doldrums, the 20-year-old former Melksham Oak School student is starting to deliver performances that he promised as one of the most talented teenagers in Wiltshire.

Now studying at St Mary’s University in west London, which has a strong athletics focus, Stockley has strung together four personal bests in succession over the past two weeks - one of which bagged his first British title.

“It started with a 1500m in a British Milers’ Club meeting at Eltham when I broke four minutes for the first time (3mins 57.89secs),” said Stockley.

“I always knew I was capable of running that quick, but sub-four became a bit of a mental block for me more than anything, so it was great to finally do it.

“A few days later, I ran the Vitality Westminster Mile in London and came fourth overall in my race (4mins 19secs) and first junior, and as it incorporated the British Championships I was named under 20s champion.

“Three days later I raced another BMC race in Brighton as I needed to get the qualifying standard of 3mins 56secs to enter the England Under 20 Championships and ran 3:55.27.

“I was very pleased with that and let out a huge cheer when I crossed the line and saw the clock.”

Then, last weekend, Stockley switched his attention to the Midland Counties Championships and marked his debut at the 3000m steeplechase with an emphatic victory in a respectable time of 9mins 42.75secs.

“I am doing really well at the moment and enjoying my running,” added Stockley.

“A few years ago I had a period of injury and went off running. Every time I got fit I suffered a knock-back and in the end I just needed a break from it all.

“Coming to St Mary’s has been great and I have re-discovered my motivation. I also have a new coach in Craig Winrow (a former British 800m international) who has a very similar philosophy to Adrian Clover, who was my coach at Team Bath.

“It is going really well and I am confident I can run some faster times this summer.”