A Sussex rhythmic gymnast will represent Great Britain at the European Championships this week.

British No.1 Heather Mann, from Southwick, competes for her country in Moscow.

Heather's ultimate ambition is to compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

She is grateful for the sacrifices her parents have made to help her achieve her ambitions.

Heather, 15, said: "I am so grateful for their support because I would not be able to go for it without their backing."

Diane and Peter Mann spend about £7,000 a year helping Heather.

British Gymnastics will fund the Moscow trip and the visit to Azerbaijan for October's World Championships.

But outside international appearances Heather has to find cash to cover expenses for coaching, equipment, competition entry fees, travel and accommodation.

The family forego holidays and have re-mortgaged their home.

Diane said "Everything revolves around Heather's gymnastics. We are not that well off but we don't mind because our role is vital to our daughter's hopes.

"Until she tells us that she doesn't want to do it any more, we will back her to the hilt.

"Government funding has been cut back because results were not that good at the last Olympics in Athens.

"It is strange that the latest generation of gymnasts has to suffer for the failings of the previous one."

Heather was non-travelling reserve for the Athens Olympics last year and runnerup to Hannah Walker in the British Championships in December. The Argus recently reported that Heather will take three GCSEs when she is in Moscow.

She will be accompanied to the British Consul in the Russian capital by British technical director Joan Black to sit maths and English exams.

Heather spent last week at Lilleshall finalising her gymnastic preparations for Moscow.

Heather said: "It has been a lot of hassle trying to combine everything."