Talented young Kent rower Luke Moon confirmed his return to fitness after serious injury by winning a gold medal at the National Schools Regatta in Nottingham.

The 18-year-old former European junior champion, who lives in Deal, only returned to competitive rowing a month ago after being out of action for over a year.

His father John Moon said: "Luke suffered thoracic outlet syndrome, causing his arm to seize up. It took a year to diagnose and operate on, followed by eight months of rehabilitation."

Luke (pictured), who now competes for the Henley-based Leander Rowing Club, won a senior men’s sculls race in London Docklands in his first race back before competing in the Schools Regatta over the spring Bank Holiday.

And he powered to the Championship Single Sculls title, beating 17 of the UK’s best young scullers in the final.

Mr Moon added: "Luke is now looking forward to competing in the final trials for the world junior championships in August and has a great chance of being selected for the GB team."

Meanwhile, Luke’s 20-year-old sister Hannah is back home in Deal for the summer after competing the second year of a four-year scholarship at the University of Texas in Austin. She won two major US college sculling titles this year.