A Tottenham Olympic hopeful has been awarded a £30,000 scholarship so he can complete his degree while training for the 2012 games.

Luke Fagan, of Henningham Road, is one of three Middlesex University undergraduates to receive the Future Gold scholarships. The grants give sporting high achievers £30,000 over three years in recognition of their potential as 2012 Olympic athletes.

The 100 and 200-metre sprinter, who is studying towards a BSc in sport and exercise science at Middlesex's Ponders End campus, said: "I was so happy when I found out because I knew I wouldn't have to worry about money and trying to study, train and work.

"It was a weight off me. I won't have to work part-time and my parents are really happy for me too. I really appreciate it and everything the university has done."

Luke, 19, trains five times a week for two hours at the New River Sports Centre, in White Hart Lane, Wood Green, and the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, in Enfield, with Haringey and Enfield Athletics Club.

His dedication paid off in July this year, when he came third in the European Junior 200m championships and third in the Senior England Athletics 200m championships.

"I started taking it seriously when I was about 17," he said. "Since then I've loved it and I have to give it a lot. My next aim is getting into the team for Beijing next year so I can get some world experience before 2012."

While athletics is his dream, Luke believes education is also vital to success.

He added: "I like to keep my brain doing something too and you never know what might happen, I could get injured, so I think studying and getting a degree is really important so I have options."