A rising Saltcoats boxing star has just won his first gold medal – in his very first championship event.

Mark Harkins, 14, won gold at the Scottish Development Championships at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility on Sunday.

He triumphed in the 2008 56kg category, where he was declared the winner by unanimous vote.

Training at Irvine’s Vineburgh Boxing Club, Mark has been boxing for two years and currently practices for five nights a week as he hopes to work his way to a professional level.

Mum Jenny Havlin said: “He’s so dedicated and I think that’s where most of the pride comes from.

"To show that level of hard work and dedication at that age – and we know how easy it is at that age to go and do other things – is pretty amazing.

“The dream is for the Olympics. He has that ambition, and he really works towards the goals.

“I’ve never had to ask Mark ‘are you ready for training?’ - he’s always at the door waiting on me getting in from work, dressed to go to the boxing with his bag in his hand.

"There’s never an ‘I don’t want to go’.

“His coach Alec Mullen is second to none.”

Mark has participated in fights before in ‘home shows’ for his boxing club, but his fight on Sunday was his first big win.

In December, Mark will be taking part in a home show for his club while he prepares to fight in the Westen District Championship in February.