PROMISING young Wiltshire athletes have received sports scholarship grants of £500 at a special ceremony at County Hall, Trowbridge.

The funding was awarded to 12 young people, aged eight to 18, who compete at regional or national level in an Olympic/Paralympic sport, or a sport recognised by Sport England.

The grants, awarded by Wiltshire Council in partnership with local businesses as part of the Funding Future Olympians and Paralympians foundation, will assist the recipients with training and competition opportunities, and the cost of new equipment and transport.

To date, it has supported 34 young people with scholarship grants, with many of them going on to achieve national, and in some cases, international success in their chosen sport.

Deputy leader of Wiltshire Council, John Thomson, said: "It was a real pleasure to meet these young people, all of whom are competing at a high level in their chosen sport, and I was delighted to present them with a grant.

“We know that these grants make a huge difference to the opportunities for our future sports stars, providing much-needed financial support for training, events and competitions.

"We wish Wiltshire’s young sports stars every success, and we’ll be watching their careers with interest. We hope to see them representing Team GB – and Wiltshire – on the world stage, in the future.”

Sprint canoeist Edward Nightingale, from West Ashton, near Trowbridge, said: "I am honoured to receive this grant and to have my achievements recognised.

“This funding will really help me this year as I aim to regain my under 16 British champion titles and continue to represent the GB squad internationally, to keep progressing towards my ultimate goal to be selected for the senior team. Thank you to Wiltshire Council and the foundation for all their support.”

The grants were awarded to: Lucy-Jane Matthews, 15, Salisbury, athletics; Mark Edmundson, 16, Corsham, swimming; Megan Galpin, 14, Tidworth, javelin; Rebecca Heaps, 11, Lydiard Millicent, tennis; Molly Hole, 14, Salisbury, high jump; Eirlys Jones, 10, Malmesbury, rhythmic gymnastics; Isabel Sowels, 13, Corsham, hockey; Matthew Davies, 13, Alderbury. swimming; Edward Nightingale, 15, Trowbridge, canoeing; Katy Cutler, 16, Salisbury, water polo; Sarah Wilson, 16, Trowbridge, pentathlon; Jessica Daykin, 15, Little Panell, gymnastics.