The middle-distance prodigy has become the fourth fastest 1500m runner in the continent for her age.

And the track starlet, who turned 17 in July, has been crowned as Europe's 14th best 1500m runner at U20 level.

The talent list has been based on the 2008 season.

Laura, who grabbed her 1500m PB in May with a time of 4.22.02, said: "I was really shocked. I didn't think I would be that high in Europe."

At 17-years level, Laura is topped by two German runners, Jana Sussmann and Diane Sujew and an Irish starlet Ciara Mageean, while three English girls are ahead of Laura at U20 level – but they are 19.

It marks the huge continual strides that the Lesbury ace is making on the track.

With that in mind, and with London 2012 looming large, is Laura targeting an appearance in the capital in four years time?

Laura, keeping her feet firmly on the ground, said: "That is four years away. I am just looking at things season by season.

"Next year, I am looking to run at the U20 European Junior Championships in Serbia, so hopefully I can be selected to run for Great Britain next year."

And with the curtain now closed on her 2008 track campaign, the Morpeth Harrier finished the season on a high.

The Newcastle College student smashed her 3,000metre PB by 18 seconds, completing the race, at Jarrow, in 9.38.02.

She also came within a half a second of breaking her 800m PB at an event in Manchester; blustery conditions denying her an even quicker time.

Laura is now looking ahead to the cross country season which starts in October.