Speed merchant Tre Houston said he has become a 'student of sprinting' since becoming a pupil of world-renowned coach Tony Lester.

Houston has spent the last five weeks being 'schooled' by Lester at a gruelling warm weather camp in California preparing for his first real examination since relocating his career to the UK at the start of the year.

The 19-year-old, who was due back in the UK today, opens up his race programme with a meet in London next month and believes he has physically and mentally matured under Lester's guidance.

"Since I've been out here (in California) I've achieved a whole lot and become more of a student of what I love to do," said Houston, who suffered a slight injury set-back when he first arrived in the Golden State.

"Training is getting much harder by the day and also in the weight room where I'm learning a lot of new things.

"I've been training with some top athletes but I've been really focussing on what needs to be done each day in training as well as the things I need to correct.

"I feel my training is going well so if I execute (in London) the way I do in training I should be good. I'm being very patient something I had to learn when I joined this camp."

Houston, the nephew of Bermuda track legend Troy Douglas, moved to the UK at the start of the year to team up with sprint guru Lester, who has worked with star quality athletes such at Britons Denise Lewis, Marlon Devonish and Roger Black.

Over the past four months the sorcerer and his apprentice have forged a strong relationship both on and off the track, although Houston admits his coach is not frightened to crack the whip when needed.

"Tony and I have had a surprise relationship on and off the track which I find great," said Houston, who will return home in June for the Bermuda national championships.

"The reason why I say that is because he's always on at me when it comes to lifting correctly, or running correctly.

"I should be opening up in London on May 12 and from there I should be going to France, Switzerland, Germany, and other parts of Europe once I finalise my race programme.

"My last meet will be June the 12 and I'll be arriving home on June 15 to get ready to run in the Bermuda championships."

Last month Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president, Donna Watson, told The Royal Gazette she had received positive feedback on Houston's progress from Lester.

"Tre is doing great training with Tony," she said. "He is enjoying it, working hard and looking forward to his first meet. I also spoke to Tony who told me Tre is fitting in very well and is a hard worker. I think they both can't wait forhis first meet to see how he makes out."

Former sprinter Douglas introduced Lester to Watson at the World Championships in Berlin last summer where they discussed the possibility of the Great Britain relay coach and the young sprinter working together.

The pair then met up last November when the English coach visited the Island to conduct a coaching workshop at the National Sports Centre.

Houston has received a $10,000 grant from Bermuda Olympic Association's (BOA) Delhi Commonwealth Solidarity Fund to cover his relocation costs to help him prepare for the biggest year of his fledgling career.