A YOUNG Olympic swimmer has received a welcome financial boost to help her quest for gold in 2008.

Joanne Jackson, 18, of Richmond, has been awarded £1,000 to help pay for training and travelling to competition's from the district council's talented young sportsperson fund.

Miss Jackson, who has been swimming competitively at national level since the age of 13, is British and European 400m freestyle champion.

She got a late call-up to the British Olympic squad, swimming in the 400m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay. The Richmond School sixth former, who swims 60km a week at Richmond pool, said she was grateful for the support. "It's good to know the local council is prepared to support the district's sporting youngsters."