Witney teenager Dan Middleton had a disappointing time at the European Junior Championships in Palermo, Italy.

The 17-year-old, who is tipped by many to compete at the 2012 Olympics in London, had been training hard for the event since June.

But he suffered an unusual injury in the clean and jerk discipline, which forced him to pull out of the event.

Competing in the 85kg category, Middleton had started well, recording his best-ever snatch when he lifted 103kg.

But in the clean and jerk, he suffered a nasty hand injury when he aggravated an old wound, which caused his hands to bleed.

His next target is the British Championships.