Didcot Barramundi swimmer Alexander Murphy has been earmarked as a potential future British Olympian after being chosen to be part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative.

The 16-year-old breaststroke specialist, from Upton, near Didcot, will receive a cash injection of £1,000 towards training and competing and is one of only 264 youngsters selected from across England and Wales.

Murphy, who goes to King Alfred’s Community & Sports College, Wantage, attended the launch of the scheme at Wembley Stadium, where he rubbed shoulders with Olympic diving silver medallist Leon Taylor.

“It makes me very proud to have been chosen,” said Murphy, who also was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Olympic Park in East London.

“This is my first year outside of the under 16 age group, so it’s a case of continuing to improve and testing myself against people who are older than me.

“I’m the age group (under 16 16) British record-holder for 50m breaststroke.

“But now I need to push on and the money that comes from the scheme is very useful for me in terms of the travelling and the other expenses that come with the training.”

Taylor, who won Olympic 10m platform silver in Athens in 2004, said: “It’s fantastic for these young athletes to get the funding and support because they have got a massive amount of talent.”

l Lloyds TSB Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, provides support and funding to 346 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond. Since 2008, the programme has supported 1,000 athletes. Follow future stars at facebook.com/lloydstsblocalheroes.