DAN STEPS UP WITH LIONS

LEICESTER have promoted local youngster Dan Thompson into their Premiership team as Rising Star for next season.

Thompson, a former Lions mascot, has raced for the club in both the National Development League and the Championship, and the 18-year-old remains with them as they head up to the top-flight.

Boss Stewart Dickson said: “We know the scalps Dan took last season, the likes of Josh Pickering, our own Chris Harris, and several others along the way, and we know he will get even better next season around his home track.

“I don’t need to tell him he’ll need to work on his away form, and there could be some tracks that he’s not been to for a while, but the bottom line is that he’s deserving of his place.

“This Rising Star system is for people like him, and he was the obvious choice for us. We’re delighted to offer him the position and glad that he’s accepted it.”