WARRINGTON shot putter John Nicholls is staggering opposition while in the twilight of his career.

The 35-year-old split two current internationals when he finished second in the North of England Indoor Championships in Wakefield at the weekend.

He threw half a metre further than he has thrown before indoors and became the first athlete from Cheshire to break the 50 feet barrier.

And all this after he thought his best days were over!

National discus coach Dennis Roscoe has spent 10 weeks working with the Stockton Heath drayman.

Roscoe said: "John is now throwing better than he has ever done.

"The sky's the limit for him if he believes in himself. He has got to convince himself he can throw further again because he could use this as a platform. By the summer there is no reason why he couldn't get an international."

Recently Nicholls has left Warrington Athletics Club and returned to Sale Harriers Athletics Club where he has been able to push himself to the limits.

Roscoe said: "The fear factor is working for him at the moment. He trains as though his next competition is his last.

"At Wakefield the athlete who finished third is a current international and he couldn't believe what John had thrown so late in his career. John had wiped the floor with him.

"He was up against lads much younger, much bigger and much stronger than him and was still beating them. He really is on top form."

Nicholls had started to wind down his top flight career several years ago when he left Sale and concentrated his efforts on helping Warrington's men's team and improving his county record.

Nicholls has been county champion for a record 14 successive years and Roscoe admits he can not see anyone taking the title off him this year.

Roscoe said: "No-one will get near to him in the county championships this year!"