A WORLD record-holding octogenarian athlete has revealed his ambition - to run the 100 metres when he is 100!

But, first, Tony Bowman, a spritely 81, is hoping 2017 will be as successful as 2016 which he ended by adding to his growing medal collection by scooping two gold medals at World Masters Athletics Championships.

He won the 100 metres sprint and 80 metres hurdles races in his age group at the championships held in Perth, Australia, at the end of last year.

He also came second in the 200 metres and third in the 200 metres hurdles events of the championships.

That success followed on from Mr Bowman setting his first world record, and further triumphs, earlier last year.

He said: "I'm very pleased with how the year went and put the success down to the fact that I stayed free of injury.

"I think I'm about the luckiest 81-year-old in the country at the moment - I'm a very fortunate guy.

"I'm now hoping to go the World Indoors Championships in Korea in March."

Mr Bowman's other achievements in 2016 have included setting the 10.86 second world record in the 60 metres hurdles at the British Indoor Championships in London, where he also won the 60 and 200 metres sprints.

And he set a new British best in the indoor 200 metres at the European Masters Indoor Championships at Ancona, Italy, where he also won the 60 metres sprint and the 60 metres.

His enduring success on the track has been achieved despite a number of health challenges he has had to overcome in recent years, including two heart attacks and an atrial flutter.

Mr Bowman, a retired probation officer, who lives at The Poplars in Guiseley, with his wife Betty, was a keen school athlete but his interest in the sport tailed off after completing his education.

It only returned after he had turned 42 and began running again.

He said: "I've always been active and played hockey and tennis during those years I wasn't running, and I also do a lot of dancing.

"I'm aiming to run the 100 metres when I'm 100 and to live until I'm 120 - and I'm serious!"