Kirtlington teenager Harriet Owen is aiming to follow in the pedals of Victoria Pendleton and compete at the 2016 Olympics.

She said: “I really admire Victoria for her determination and passion for the sport and would love to accomplish what she’s done.

“Realistically, I’ll be a little bit young for the 2012 Olympics, so it’ll have to be 2016 for me.”

And Owen (pictured) has received a boost in her quest for Olympic glory after the 15-year-old was awarded a £1,000 cash windfall from the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes Initiative.

For the second year running, Owen is among 250 youngsters from across the country to receive funding, plus expert tuition from the likes of five-time Olympian swimmer Mark Foster.

The Marlborough Comp-rehensive School pupil added: “Getting the financial backing is absolutely great.”

Lloyds TSB is providing £1,000 to over 250 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond.

For more information, visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes