Wantage middle-distance star Tom Penfold highlighted his pedigree by scooping 1500m gold in the British Universities Championships at Sheffield.

The 23-year-old, who is studying chemistry at Birmingham University, strode ahead of the opposition to finish almost a second ahead of Bath's James Mill in 3.49.67.

Afterwards, the former King Alfred's School pupil said: "I was pretty pleased to have won.

"I felt good after the first 800 metres and I just hit the front and tried to wind it up from there and I managed to get a gap that I held on to till the end."

Meanwhile, former Radley star Carolyn Plateau has set her sights on a shot at the UK's best after narrowly missing out on gold.

The 19-year-old, a psychology student at Oxford University, finished less than half a second behind winner Jo Finch in the 800m final.

But despite being pipped to the post, Plateau, who crossed the line in 2.11.02 minutes, reckons her recent form indicates she should be in fine form when the Olympic Trials take place this summer.

"I'm over the moon to get silver because coming into the final I wasn't sure where I would finish," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to the outdoor season and go into it feeling really strong.

"The Olympic trials will just be an amazing calibre - the girls that will be there are great and it would be a real privilege to run against them.

"But it's really nice to dream about 2012. When it's cold outside and your working really hard you know why everyone is doing it."

Plateau's excellent form in the indoor season was topped off at the World Indoor trials in Sheffield when she finished sixth in the final.