SABINA Heywood, who won her first national medal at the British age group championships in Sheffield last month, could be just 10 months away from her first international call-up.

The 13-year-old Bournemouth Dolphins freestyler has been told by British Swimming that she is now part of the selection process for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Italy in July.

The multi-sport festival, held every other year, is the biggest international event available to swimmers who are still too young to be eligible for the European junior championships.

Heywood, who lives in New Milton, has been advised to step-up her training to a minimum of 45-52,000 metres a week and not to take a break from training over the Christmas period.

She will also be expected to enter the British senior championships in Manchester next April, which will serve as trials for the European youth competition as well as the world championships and European juniors.

In Manchester Heywood will find herself competing against other 13- and 14-year-olds for a place in the British youth team for Italy.

Dolphins' chief coach Laurie Dormer said: "We are obviously very excited about this. But only one swimmer can compete in each individual event so number one is what we are aiming for."

Heywood, a pupil at Talbot Heath School, is currently ranked second in Britain for the age band in the 800m freestyle, in which she won a bronze medal at the national age groups at the beginning of August.

She is also ranked fourth in the 200m and 400m freestyle after finishing fourth and fifth in those events in Sheffield.

Heywood, who is also a talented musician and a member of the Hampshire Youth Orchestra, said: "I was delighted to get the letter from British Swimming and it has made me determined go for it in swimming this year.

"I will be busy but I plan to train as hard as I can. But the real test will be in April when I will have to do the qualifying times to get in the team for Italy."