A Falmouth youngster who has been playing squash for just three years has had a meteoric rise in the sport.

Jack Mahon, aged 12, finished third in the recent British Junior Championships and is ranked number 4 in his age group in the country.

His father Paul said: "When he was nine I told him his aim should be to beat me by the time he was 15. He's already done that aged 11 - he doesn't want to play me anymore!

"He used to play tennis but a coach at Falmouth Squash Club said he was the best young player he'd ever seen, so he stopped playing tennis to concentrate on it."

Jack trains regularly with friend Louis Murray, another Falmouth lad who is also doing very well on a national level.

Both boys go to Truro School and often play in Truro, as well as Falmouth Squash Club. They play in the same team in the Cornish men's league.

Paul added: "Most of Jack's opponents in the men's league are very supportive and think it's fantastic that he is so promising, but there are one or two players who don't quite know how to take it if he beats them.

"It's great for the sport locally that Jack and Louis are doing so well. Hopefully their success will help to make it more popular."

Jack's number 4 ranking is thought to be the best position ever achieved by a Cornish player and he is currently training for the British Junior Open, which take place in Birmingham in early January.

He will compete in the under-13s category, while Louis, who is slightly older, will take part in the under-15 event of what is effectively the world championships.

"The Egyptians are very, very good and there'll also be top players from Malaysia and France, but we're hoping Jack can do well in his age group. It'll be tougher for Louis this year because he'll be against older opponents," said Paul.