Talented Millie claims bronze

BEAMINSTER School pupil Millie Forrest came third in the national modern pentathlon tetrathlon championships at Bath University.

The tetrathlon involves running, swimming, fencing and air pistol shooting and the standard was very high this year as Millie's score would have been enough to win her the gold medal last year.

Thirteen-year-old Millie, from West Milton, also met up with Sydney Olympics modern pentathlon bronze medallist Kate Allenby during the competition.

She will be spending more time with top athletes like Kate after being invited onto the junior section of Sport England's World Class Performance Plan, the lottery funded scheme which aims to produce future Olympians.

"I'm really looking forward to going on this scheme," said Millie.

"In a few weeks time I'm spending a weekend with the national shooting coach at Bisley and then I'm going to the Commonwealth Games pool in Manchester to have my stroke analysed with underwater video cameras. It's going to be cool."

Currently, Millie does her running training to her grandparents' house in Loders and back, swimming sessions with the Bridport Barracudas, fencing in Powerstock Hut and shooting with Dorchester Gun Club.

*Millie also slashed and parried against 'pure' fencers to finish an excellent sixth place in the national fencing championships.