TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Adam Lavan is at university.

But he's not studying for a degree.

For Adam is among 150 of Britain's brightest children and is at a summer school at Lancaster University as part of the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth.

During the course - which runs until August 21 - Adam could build and race go-karts, take part in penalty shootouts and work out the odds of winning, or experiment with sculpture by making moulds of his own head.

The summer school is aimed at the top 5% of Britain's schoolchildren and is designed to stretch and stimulate 11 to 16-years-olds in a host of unusual ways.

Adam's mother, Helen, said: "I've always called him superkid, but it wasn't until he got to Salendine Nook High School that his talents were recognised.

"He's always been curious and full of life.

He learned to read early and has always been brilliant at constructing models. He's been superfast at everything," she added.

But Mrs Lavan said Adam was a `normal' boy of his age.

He loved the outdoors and camping, had a typically untidy bedroom and spent his pocket money on boys' toys.

Mrs Lavan has two other sons.

Andrew, 14, who has Down's syndrome and is autistic, goes to Highfields School at Edgerton and seven-year-old Angus attends Lindley Junior School.