WORK in progress is how Plymouth's up-and-coming middle-distance runner Mike Wilsmore summed up his first full athletics season.

Wilsmore has burst on to the local and national track scene, gaining notable success home and abroad over 800m.

The 25-year-old former Royal Marine set the seal on a successful campaign with a bronze medal representing the South West region in Antwerp.

Running in his Bristol & West AC club colours, Plymothian Wilsmore came home in a time of 1:52.22 — just outside of his personal best.

Then in his final outing of the summer, Wilsmore nailed a PB at 1,500m in a British Milers' Club meeting at Exeter.

Earlier in the summer, Whitleigh's Wilsmore secured a PB over 800m (1.51.43) in the UK Championships staged in Birmingham.

And, while he ponders his plans for next season, Wilsmore will work on his stamina with Tamar Trotters.

He said: "I have to be pleased with what I've done this year, but I'm not about to rest on what laurels. Qualifying for the UK champs and then consistently putting in good times over 800m, has given me a lot of pride and hope for what I can achieve next year.

"I was very pleased with how I performed in Antwerp, as I'd missed a few training sessions because of an injured right foot.

"Finishing third, overall in the 'A' race and where I ran a competitive 1.52.22, despite being stuck on my own after 200m gives me confidence to carry through to the winter phase.

"And following that I raced in the final BMC meeting at Exeter and made the decision to switch to 1,500m, so that I could gain better competition.

"It worked as I went on to win in personal best of 3.51.7, which knocked 1.9secs off my previous best time over that distance. Had I gone with the pace a bit earlier in the race, I could have pushed and broken the 3.50 barrier, however, I will leave that goal for next season.

"But a good strong run to end the season with."