DORSET youngster Andrew Elkins today booked his spot in the European Youth Olympic Festival hammer final – despite missing the automatic qualification mark by almost three metres.

The 16-year-old managed just one valid throw of 64.09m on his Team GB debut in the Ratina Stadium in Tampere, Finland.

But the Lychett Minster School pupil made the grade for tomorrow’s final after finishing in the top 12.

See tomorrow’s Echo for the full story.