Heather Mann could become one of Great Britain's youngest competitors at the Olympic Games in August.

The 14-year-old will take part in trials for the rhythmic gymnastics team at Burton-on-Trent this weekend.

Heather said: "I will be a little nervous. The thought of getting into the Olympics at such a young age is a bit scarey.

"The selectors will look for clean routines and I feel I'm capable of doing that if I stay calm, focussed and go for it."

Heather has been preparing at the British Gymnastics Association training headquarters at Lilleshall for the past fortnight.

She has worked on her technique with the apparatus which includes a soccer-sized ball, rope, ribbon, clubs and hoop.

Ballet drills help improve her conditioning and control. Flexibility exercises enable her to completes moves like a double roll before catching the ball.

Heather must regulate what she eats to maintain her weight which fluctuates between seven-and-a-half and eight stone.

She said: "The diet is the hardest thing to cope with. I can only take in 1,100 calories a day so I eat fruit salad, lean meat and yoghurt."

Heather will be up against other Athens hopefuls like artistic gymnast Beth Tweddle, who is rated third in the world on the asymmetric bars.

Heather said: "It is a tough schedule but I really want to give myself the best chance of making the Olympics."

Her efforts appear to be paying off and she was a respectable third behind winner Hannah Walker and Elaine Kibble at the British closed trials for next month's European Championships in Kiev.

Heather, who is a statuesque 5ft.7in, believes her 36-inch legs will help her.

She said: "A big part of rhythmic gymnasts is being able to attract the judges' attention. I've been told I do that because of my long legs. The more graceful you are the better and my legs help me emphasis that during my routines.

"I can stretch them, one at a time, to touch the side of my head. I also have extreme flexibility all over my body and overstretching splits helps me maintain that."

Heather took up rhythmic gymnastics four years ago after attending the Southview gym at Portslade, which is run by Maria Foster.

She said: "I went for a bit of fun with my friend, Philippa Earl. Almost immediately, Maria suggested I could be quite good at rhythmic gymnastics so I gave it a go.

"Now I concentrate hard. The practice I put in and the help Maria has given me has enabled me progress quickly."

It is difficult to balance her education and social life with the sport.

She said: "I make sure I don't fall behind with my homework by having a tutor when I'm away training or competing. My school (King's Manor, Shoreham) have been very helpful and understanding.

"I try to make sure I don't lose touch with my mates and often go to the cinema with them."

Foster, who is coaching a British team including Southview's Kerrie Denton in Russia this week, believe Heather has the ability to "go all the way".

She said: "I could see her potential when she first came into the gym. She was very tall with long legs. She looked more like a typical Russian.

"Heather looks elegant and you can't help but look at her. She has got a certain something and is determined and passionate about her sport.

"She has so much talent. If she doesn't make Athens, she'll go another time. She's so young and only in her first year as a senior.

"Her temperament won't be a problem. She is easy-going and communicative."

As a junior last year, Heather won a bronze medal in the ribbon event at the British Championships and combined with Kibble to win the pairs at the World School Games.

But now, after making her senior international debut in January, she is ready to find out if she can perform on the biggest sporting stage of all.