Hannah Temple was told at the age of 11 she had to give up sport because of a knee problem.

But the determined youngster, from Burgess Hill, discovered archery and is now one of Britain's top juniors and the holder of three world records.

She has come a long way since injury forced her to quit trampolining and swimming and, with physical problems behind her, Hannah's long-term aim is to compete at the Olympic Games.

Hannah, 15, said: "I was quite down about it. I had pain in my knees that hurt too much.

"It was annoying I couldn't do sports. But my uncle was a coach at an archery club so I thought I'd try it.

"Archery doesn't put that much pressure on my knees. You position your feet behind the line in a normal standing position and my knees cope.

"It was caused by growing pains and flat feet but everything seems fine now."

Hannah became Sussex junior champion within nine months of taking up the sport.

She became a regular in the Sussex squad and guided the team to a bronze medal in the national inter-counties junior championships last year when she also lifted the individual indoor county junior crown.

In 2004, Hannah broke through nationally and internationally.

She retained her Sussex indoor title and regained the county outdoor crown but, most significantly this month, set three world and European records while finishing third in the 16 to 18-year-old age group at the British Junior Championships.

The first two records came when she scored 248 points with the target set at 50m and 211 points at 40m.

She completed the hat-trick with her combined total of 946 after completing the four distances required with steady performances at 60m and 30m.

Hannah, who practices three times a week at the Ditchling Club, where she is a member, said: "It was nice to find something I can do.

"Getting the records makes me feel excited, particularly as it was in an age group above.

"It helped that I went into the competition without much pressure because there were no expectations.

"But I was nervous. I get like that for the big competitions. I've developed breathing exercises and body stretches to keep me relaxed."

She is a winner with a sense of perspective.

Hannah, who wants to become a vet, said: "I am competitive, although I wouldn't say I hate losing.

"I love the challenge and like to win but I don't get too upset if I lose as long as I know I've done the best I can.

"I look at my performance rather than what my opponent does."

The weight on her bow is 30lb compared to the 50 to 55lb Olympic competitors pull.

She said: "Upper body strength helps and I work on it."

Her next major target is to help Sussex win a gold medal at the national inter-counties championships in Essex next month when she will also watch the archery competition at the Athens Games.

The Oakmeeds pupil said: "I will flick around on the remote and hope I can find some coverage on the television.

"All those competing are an inspiration to me.

"I'd like to be in their place at the Olympics one day."

Phil Varden, her uncle and first coach, believes his niece has a "natural talent".

He said: "She is already one of the best junior archers in Britain and has world class potential.

"Hannah is determined and willing to practice hard and, although a natural talent, is receptive to coaching.

"She puts in 110 per cent at everything she does, whether it is her school work or archery.

"She is stimulated by bigger competitions as she displayed getting her records.

"I believe she will be included in the national under-18s squad any time. Hannah is not at all big-headed about the success she's had. In fact, she gets embarrassed by the fuss."

Hannah is already impressing as a senior, combining with her current coach Steve Chapman to take the mixed pairs at the Andover Open, and she holds her club's senior indoor and outdoor crowns. She beat her personal best for an International Archery Federation round by 137 points by finishing runner-up at the Andover Ladies Open this week.

Meanwhile, Hannah's brother Cameron, eight, won the under-nines gold medal for the compound bow in a county record at the British Junior Championships at Andover.