A teenage Bristol gymnast has been selected to represent the junior Great Britain team.

Thirteen-year-old Amy Sharp, a member of the Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, will be part of the GB team taking on competitors from Switzerland, France and Germany this weekend at Spergau, Germany.

She secured her place in the team after she came third in the Espoir (12 and 13-year-olds) British Championships, held in Gloucester earlier this month.

She came first for her efforts in the bar exercise and was third in the beam, which gave her an overall position of third.

Amy has also just gained selection for the English Gymnastics Team for the UK School Games to be held in Cardiff at the beginning of September.

Her aim is to continue to improve to secure a place at the London 2012 Olympics.

Marwood School pupil, Amy from Patchway, said: "Obviously I really want to represent Great Britain at the London Games.

"I think it would be a great honour and a fantastic experience to be involved in the Olympics in your home country.

"But I know I still have to improve to make sure I'm on the team and events like this weekend will go along way to giving me the experience I need to compete at that level."

Head coach, Helen Potter said: "We have had Amy now for three years and she really is beginning to show how strong a gymnast she is.

"Her best category is the bar and beam but she is also strong on the floor and the vault. Her greatest assets are her dedication and willingness to put in the hard work.

"Amy does 33 hours a week and is in the gym after school as well as during school PE lessons.

"She also attends regular World Class Start programmes as part of the British squad at Loughborough University."

The gym, based in Easton, has already produced some gymnastic stars with Rhian Pugh, a former Junior European champion on the bars, among their stable.

Shannon Lee, Amy's training partner and friend, has also been selected for the UK School Games but will compete for the Wales team.

Both girls have qualified for the British Apparatus Finals, which will be held in Guildford on July 5.

Bristol Hawks will be holding summer classes over the school summer holidays.

They will run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for three weeks from August 11 and will be open to everyone from beginners to more experienced gymnasts. For further information contact Helen Potter on 0117 9355363.