Truro youngster Melissa Jane has been selected for a prestigious sporting programme.

The 18-year-old fencer has been singled out by charity SportsAid as an athlete with potential to reach the top of the sport.

The selection process acknowledges her impressive CV, including a top eight finish at the World Fencing Championships in 2022.

Ms Jane said: "To medal at an international competition is my main goal for next season.

"Ever since I first got selected to represent Great Britain – which was the first time I thought ‘wow, I’m actually kind of good at this’ – I’ve wanted to compete at the highest level."

Her aspiration was further solidified after being one of only four girls her age chosen to represent Team GB in the European Cadet and Junior Championships last year.

She plans to take a gap year to focus on training, intending to move to London later in the year.

(Image: Beat Media)

Ms Jane started fencing at just six years old, encouraged by a competitive streak instilled by her two older brothers.

The youngster is now preparing for the Commonwealth Fencing Championships in New Zealand next month.

Talking about the value of the support from SportsAid, she stressed: "Receiving funding takes away the pressure for my parents too because they also don’t always have to worry as much about how much everything costs.

"I do put a lot of pressure on myself, just because I know how hard I work and when there’s a competition that I want to do well in, there’s a lot riding on me and only me."

"SportsAid has really helped with fuel money because there’s so much travelling I have to do.

"The funding has given me flexibility because I don’t need to worry about train costs or petrol.

"So, SportsAid has taken away a lot of worry."

Entain, owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, is proud to be championing the next generation of British sporting heroes by providing talented young athletes with financial support and personal development opportunities in partnership with SportsAid.

Visit entaingroup.com to find out more.