Zoe Smith recieves a cheque off The Rotary Club of Newark Castle to help her chase her Olympic dreams

An athlete who has aspirations to become a future Olympian has been supported with a grant from The Rotary Club of Newark Castle.

Zoe Smith from Rolleston secured the grant following her application for the Alan Taylor Family Fund.

The grant was presented to Smith by the president of the Rotary Club, Bob Hattersley.

Sixteen-year-old Smith is a 400m hurdler and has been selected for several events this year culminating in representing England under-18s.

Smith achieved this feat at the Welsh under-20 International in Cardiff where she secured a silver medal.

Through her progress, Smith has been invited to the England Athletics Talent Programme which provides her with specialist coaching and development.

"The grant will go a long way to supporting me with essential kit purchases, strength and conditioning support, physio and rehabilitation services," said Smith.

"I’m really grateful to the Rotary Club for their support."

Mac Mallard, public image chair at the Rotary Club said: "We were very impressed with Zoe’s application and her clear will to succeed in her chosen event.

"To have a local athlete representing Newark at the level she does is truly inspiring and we hope that this grant will help her in her quest to become an Olympian."