Related stories
Dame Kelly Calling

The 16-year-old race ace has been hand-picked by double Olympic gold medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, to attend a training scheme, On Camp with Kelly, at Loughborough University from April 1 to 10.

The mentoring initiative, funded by Norwich Union, will teach Laura about what it takes to become a world class athlete.

If she successfully completes the course, Laura will become a full member of On Camp with Kelly and benefit from regular get-togethers, exhibition races, financial and medical support and mentoring from Dame Kelly.

Laura, a student at Alnwick's Duchess's High School, said: "I'm very happy to have been picked because only a few girls get picked to do it each year. I'm hoping to get a lot from it and think I'll learn a lot, such as what to do in different situations during a race and how you can get through things like injury."

The Morpeth Harrier qualified for the mentoring scheme after impressing at a Selection Day at the UK Athletics High Performance Centre in Birmingham on Sunday, January 27.

The Midlands qualifier involved challenges such as determination tests, team challenges and a session on goal-setting.

Laura was picked for the Selection Day on the back of an outstanding 2007, which included 1500m golds at both the English Schools Championships (Intermediate) and the UK School Games.

Dame Kelly Holmes, winner of the 800m and 1500m golds at Athens in 2004 Olympics, said: "I was very impressed by Laura's performance at the Selection Day and am delighted to welcome her to On Camp with Kelly.

"There is no doubt that she is a very talented young athlete and I hope that On Camp with Kelly will help her to develop in her athletics career and to achieve her full potential."

Tanya Veingard, head of sponsorship at Norwich Union, said: "Our support of On Camp with Kelly helps to nurture and develop talented girls into world class athletes that Britain can be proud of and we are delighted to be making it easier for Laura to achieve her dreams."

Laura, who finished seventh at the North of England Cross Country Championships on Saturday, January 26, continues her winter season with the National Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers on February 23 before heading to Liverpool for the English Schools Cross Country Championships in March. Her track and field season starts in May.
THE future of Alnwick Town has been plunged into stepping down and if people dFootball Club or assist with running the juniors.