A TALENTED Leigh swimmer will rub shoulders with the world's best later this month after being picked to represent Great Britain in the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona.

Heather Frederiksen from Clifton Street in Leigh will represent her country for the first time at senior level when she competes in both the 5km and 10km races off-shore from the vibrant Catalan city.

The 17-year-old will fly out to Barcelona next week to link up with her Great Britain teammates for the FINA World Championships, to be held on July 13 and 16 respectively.

Heather has already made a big impression at junior level -- finishing seventh in the 5km junior race and in the top 20 in the senior 10km race at the recent European Championships in Seville.

Senior level

But despite stepping up to senior level, Heather is confident she can make an impression on the big stage.

Heather, who competes for the City of Salford, said: "I'm hoping to finish in the top ten, which would be a massive achievement. It's going to be a learning curve for me -- to swim with the world's best at the age of 17 is going to be great experience. Swimming in the Mediterranean Ocean in saltwater will make it a tough course.

"Training has been going well and my coaches and I have been working towards competing in the World Championships. I'm still in shock from being picked to represent Great Britain at senior level.

"My ultimate aim is to be world champion. I've got plenty of years ahead of me and I'm pretty confident I can fulfil that dream."

Her coach John Stout, said: "All the

coaches in the Salford Programme who have worked with Heather over the past 6 years are very proud of her achievement."