DAVID KING’S impressive start to 2017 continued on Saturday with the City of Plymouth athlete setting a new personal best to take second in the 60m hurdles at the Muller Grand Prix in Birmingham.

The former Devonport High School for Boys pupil clocked 7.63 seconds to beat 2012 Olympic and world indoor champion Aries Merritt, who finished third in 7.70.

King’s GB team-mate and world number one Andy Pozzi won the race with a new PB of 7.43 seconds.

After his run, King, whose previous best time of 7.65 seconds only came a fortnight ago, tweeted: “Cannot be happier than a PB and second place in Birmingham. What an amazing atmosphere.”

His performance on Saturday was the perfect way for him to prepare for the European Indoor Championships, which will take place in Belgrade at the start of March.

King secured his place on the GB team for that event by finishing second last weekend behind Pozzi at the trials in Sheffield.