The Canvey family of a new sporting superstar were today celebrating as he picked up his silver medal at the World Championships.

Dean Macey's mum, dad, brother and sister huddled around the television to watch the young decathlete win silver in the championships in Seville.

Dean, 21, of Rainbow Road, Canvey, was today being hailed a hero on the island as he competed against all odds.

The success, however, came just weeks after Dean's competition chances were thrown into jeopardy when he and a friend were beaten up on Canvey.

Dean's father, Alan, said: "They were walking home and were set upon by a group of about 30. Dean managed to fight his way out but he was in accident and emergency for about six hours.

"They thought he had a fractured jaw and dislocated shoulder."

Had this been the case, it would have wrecked Dean's chances at the European Under 23 Championships in Gothenburg just three weeks later - not to mention the championships in Seville.

Alan said: "We're not sure why they were set upon. People suspected it was because he was quite famous on the island but I don't believe this. I think it's just a sign of the times."

Dean's dad and mum, Pat, could not afford to go out to Seville to watch the event, having been to Gothenburg last month.

Alan said: "We chose wrong, we thought

Dean had a good chance in the under 23 championships and that Seville was for experience.

"But he fell over in the hurdles in Gothenburg!"

During the competion Pat was so worried on Dean's behalf she went to her job at Safeways on Canvey to take her mind off it.

She said: "It was as if I was competing too. I was so nervous, I felt really sick. I think I was taking all the nerves off him. He was really enjoying himself because he said he had nothing to prove."

The 6ft 5ins tall athlete broke his pole vault pole during the seventh round of the decathlon yesterday but he picked himself up to record a lifetime best.

During the contest he also continued his ongoing battle with injuries.

Dean was fighting a hamstring injury during the competition, but also has seven metal screws in his foot following a bone graft from his hip to the side of his foot, to repair the damage from an undetected stress fracture. His mother told how they took him with to Menorca to recover from the surgery.

He went on crutches, but with typical determination and frequent swimming, he didn't need to use them on the way back.

Dean, who was a pupil of Castle View School works as a lifeguard at Waterside Farm Sports Centre.

Time to celebrate - mum Pat, girlfriend Lisa Hayes, dad Alan and brother and sister Marie and Adam

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.