NEW faces, names, complex numbers and words are no match for an 11-year-old boy who proved he can remember almost anything.

Leaon Leech, from Blackburn, beat thousands of schoolchildren to be named runner-up at this year’s national Junior Memory Championships.

During the closely-fought contest at London Zoo on Sunday, the year six Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil scored 100per cent in the names and faces section of the test.

Leaon, one of 20 youngsters who made it through to the national final, also impressed judges when he was able to answer questions about text he had read.

He said he found the numbers section the most difficult.

Despite this, Leaon scored 77 points overall and came second.

He said: “It was a great day. I am pleased I have come second and feel I have done the school proud.”

The school had been entered into the competition before Leaon was picked after outperforming his peers.

Alison Wharmby, head of Junior School, said: “We’ve known, of course, that Leaon is a very clever boy, but to achieve second place in the country out of what we were told was an entry of 7,000 boys and girls is a simply outstanding achievement.

“He is very modest about his success, but we are all very proud of him indeed.

"I’m sure that, after having studied hard for his SATs and then competed in the Junior Memory Championship, Leaon will now be enjoying the Adventure Week at Winmarleigh Hall, near Garstang, which is where he has gone with his teacher and all his Year 6 classmates.”