Hard work paid off as Poppy Smith fought off competitors from 21 clubs to be crowned the grade two champion at the Southern Region Championships at Milton Keynes.

The 12-year-old, from Radley, recorded an impressive score of 48.700, which earned her a distinction.

She will represent the region at the national championships in Birmingham next month.

Poppy, who attends Fitzharrys School, Abingdon, trains 20 hours a week at Aylesbury, because there is no fully-equipped gym in Oxfordshire.

Her mother Sara said: "Fitzharrys have been very supportive in helping of Poppy, who has to combine schoolwork with a gruelling schedule."

Poppy is allowed do all her homework at weekends and is also given time off to train at Lilleshall Sports Academy, as she chases her dream of competing in the 2012 Olympics.