A WEST Dorset sixth-former has taken another step towards sporting success after being selected for the final round of a nationwide recruitment programme.

Lauren Harrison, 16, has been selected for the final round of the Olympic recruitment programme Girls4Gold, which aims to seek out aspiring female sports stars for the Olympics.

Miss Harrison, from Charmouth, took part in a number of training days designed to test her power, stamina and speed as part of the recruitment progress, and out of 1,000 entrants she was chosen for the final 120.

Miss Harrison, who is about to turn 17, said: “It has always been an ambition of mine to be in the Olympics and I really hope that I get through to the next round – it’s challenging but so enjoyable and worthwhile.”

The selected women will then work towards their Olympic ambition, with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics earmarked as the event for them to fulfil their gold medal ambitions.

Girls4Gold is nationwide initiative and was launched in 2008 by UK Sport to search for competitive sportswomen with the potential to become Olympic champions in a number of different sports, including cycling, canoeing, rowing and sailing.

Mark Hoile, GB’s Canoeing UK Talent Lead Coach, said this had been one of the most successful campaigns so far.