Do you think you could beat a two-year-old in naming the flags of the world?

The chances are you won’t outsmart Taylan Phillips, who can recite 36 in a row and learns an extra two or three flags every day.

Little Taylan, who is just two years and nine months old, has starred in a YouTube video posted by mum Michelle Peacock, perfectly recalling national flags for the Seychelles, Bahamas and Tunisia to name but a few.

He started showing a natural flare for remembering colours and patterns when he would learn the badges for his dad and uncle’s favourite football teams - Manchester City and Newcastle.

Taylan, who goes to the Park pre-school, Halstead, also speaks as clearly as many four and five year olds and already knows his colours, shapes and numbers as well as his birthday and home address.

Miss Peacock, 28, lives with Taylan and his younger sister Ava, who is 14-months-old, in Colchester Road, Halstead.

She said: “He is my little genius and I am extremely proud of him."

For the full story, see this week's Halstead Gazette.