REBECCA White has an extra reason to celebrate her recent 21st birthday after being selected for the Senior Great Britain Team for the first time.

The Haslingden triple jumper had originally been picked for Saturday's Norwich Union Under 23 International against Spain at Liverpool, but following the withdrawal of Michelle Griffith she will compete in European Cup at Bremen in Germany.

Her former club Blackburn Harriers were among the first to send their congratulations. Chairman Tony Wood said: "I am really pleased for Becky, it will be a proud moment for her."

It is unusual for a debutant to be handed a spot in such a prestigious competition, especially as each nation fields only one athlete per event, but Becky fully deserves her place after topping the National Rankings with 12.84m.

The British Team will have a fight to stave off relegation after finishing sixth last year, but it is a real team event and every point Becky can earn will be precious.

Originally a sprinter and long jumper with Blackburn Harriers, she has concentrated on triple jump since returning from an aborted trip to study in America. Since settling on her new event she has literally come on in leaps and bounds improving by 36cms since February.

She will reach the competition in top form having won the long jump and triple jump for Sale as they reached the final of the Jubilee Cup.

Also this month she has competed in Guernsey where she set island records in 100m, long jump and triple jump to win the trophy for the Outstanding Female. She was entered in the Northern Championships which were held last weekend, but opted to rest instead.

She has also secured her future at Bath University where, having completed an HND course, she has been accepted for a degree course in coach education and sports development.

BBC Grandstand will be following both days of the European Cup, starting with Roger Black's Athletics Focus at 12:25pm on Saturday. Sunday's coverage is scheduled to start at 2:15pm.