A TEEN canoeist is celebrating after landing a coveted spot in Team GB after a gruelling summer competing in World and European Championships.

Daisy Cooil, 17, from Richmond, is sponsored by Specsavers in the town, which has donated more than £2,000 over the last four years to help support her training.

Daisy has spent the summer in Italy representing Great Britain in canoeing at the World Championships, where she achieved a silver medal in the women’s team event. She also competed in Slovakia at the European Championship. This year marks the first year Daisy has been part of the GB team.

Daisy is ranked in the top 15 of the Premier Division in kayak and the top 10 in canoe.

She said: "The support I have received from Specsavers Richmond over the years has been invaluable. The first year they sponsored me I was able to purchase my canoe. This year the money will be going toward a new paddling kit which is really exciting."

Ross Campbell, store director at Specsavers Richmond, said: “We are thrilled to give our ongoing to support to Daisy. We are all really proud of her achievements and especially being on team GB. It is wonderful to see a local girl representing Richmond and especially at a national and international level.”