A GYMNAST from Hove has been selected to compete for Team England at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in April.

Hannah Martin is one of three athletes who will make up the rhythmic gymnastics squad.

This will be her Team England debut.

Colleagues Mimi Cesar and Stephani Sherlock competed in the 2014 games at Glasgow.

Hannah trains at iStar Academy which is based at Shoreham Academy.

She is a British junior champion just beginning her senior career.

The 15-year-old is the youngest gymnast on the team and one of the youngest athletes competing for Team England.

She said: “It’s a real dream come true.

“It’s something I’ve been dreaming for for a long time and I’ve worked so hard for it and I can’t believe it’s happened for me.

“I’ve learnt so much from Mimi and Stephani and I watched them in the Commonwealth Games last time.

“I was like ‘that’s where I want to go’ so I’m so happy I’m on the team with them because they are my inspiration.

“I just need to work really hard now and when I’m there it’s all about showing my best and doing my country proud.

“I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere and the pride of competing for my country is something I can’t describe.”

Team England last won a Commonwealth Games medal in rhythmic at Delhi 2010 with a team all-around bronze.

The three gymnasts will be competing across the four rhythmic disciplines from April 11 to 13.

Team England will send a team of some 600 athletes and staff in what will be England’s largest team yet to represent the nation in an overseas sporting event.

The team will compete in 18 sports, including 38 para medal events.

Team England’s gymnastics team leader Mike Weinstock said: “I’m really excited to see our rhythmic gymnasts compete on the Gold Coast and I know they can’t wait.

“They’re a very talented group of gymnasts and have been working very hard.

“Mimi and Stephani had the experience of competing in Glasgow and Hannah will be making her Games debut at the age of just 15.

“We know that the Games will be extremely well organised and the whole team is really looking forward to going out at flying the flag for England.”