POLE vaulter Harry Coppell is getting used to glitzy ceremonies after collecting his gong at the Pride of St Helens awards.

The 18-year-old, from Billinge, became the first British male to hold a world pole vault title when he took gold in the IAAF World Youth Championships in Ukraine in July 2013 to achieve the historic feat.

And the former Chapel End school pupil is accustomed to special award nights, after having been nominated for the One-to-Watch award at the awards of the charity, SportsAid following his world title success.

Harry got to meet the Duchess of Cambridge at the event after being shortlisted ahead of more than 1,300 SportsAid athletes across the country, by a judging panel including experts from BBC Sport, UK Sport, Sport England, the British Olympic Association, the English Institute of Sport and SportsAid.

And it was another special evening for the pole vaulter as he picked up an award at the Pride of St Helens.

“It feels unreal,” he said.

“It is great to get the recognition of the town, it’s been a long year,” said Harry after collecting his award from St Helens Council leader Cllr Barrie Grunewald.

“Meeting the Duchess of Cambridge was great and that was at an event similar to this as well.”