CALLANDS tumbler Jenny Dawes is aiming to make the first step towards Canada when she competes in the British Championships in Stoke this weekend.

Dawes won gold in the under 16s category last year but steps up to the senior event this time because she is due to turn 17 in September.

The Great Sankey High School pupil is not expected to win gold at senior level yet but she has another target this weekend, with the championships acting as the first trial for the World Tumbling Championships, which take place in Quebec in November.

Dawes is almost certain to be selected for the under 19s team for the trip to Canada but wants to perform well in the trials to qualify for the four-strong senior team.

Jenny's mother Kym said: "The top four is what she will be aiming for in Stoke for selection to the senior squad.

"The trial is on Saturday in qualifying and if she finished sixth in qualifying and won a medal on Sunday she would still be disappointed. It's a double-edged sword really.

"Saturday is the more important one. It's a massive jump to senior level at the British Championships and she will be the youngest in the competition so we'll see how it goes."

But, although Dawes is bidding to qualify for the senior team that travels to Canada, the Warrington Under 16s Personality of the Year nominee may yet decide to give herself a better medal chance by staying at under 19s level.

"Barring injury she will go to Canada in the junior 17 to 19 age group because she hasn't competed internationally at senior level yet," said Kym.

"In that age group there is every chance she could make the final and possibly medal as well.

"But there's the prestige of competing at senior level and the funding is only for seniors.

"She wants to go all out to qualify and then she'll sit down and think about it."

Dawes is a former member of Warrington Gymnastics Club and last month represented her current club, Wakefield Gym Club, during a team routine on BBC1's Saturday night talent contest When Will I Be Famous?'.

Although the club were unsuccessful in their quest to win £10,000 towards funding the Canada trip, Dawes enjoyed the experience.

Kym said: "The circumstances were not quite right because there was limited space and it was not what they normally do.

"They had to come up with a routine when normally they compete individually.

"But Jenny had an amazing time and they were treated so well."

Padgate's Chris Carter also competed for Wakefield on the show and is expected to be in the club's men's four team at the British Championships this weekend, while Warrington Gymnastics Club will also be represented in Stoke.