Hilary Sinclair has been selected to take on the world but does not want to end up in debt.

The 23-year-old from Patcham has been named in the England team to compete in the World Taekown-do Championships in Greece next week.

The Brighton University student, chosen for the under-57kilo class, will be out of pocket if she fails to find a sponsor.

She said: "The whole trip will cost £500 but only £300 is being covered.

"I will have to extend my student loan by £200 to make up the shortfall and I want to avoid that.

"I am paying the price at the moment to represent my country.

"As it is I've had to pay my own expenses to travel up to Crawley and London besides attending my club in Hove for four nights a week training as I've built up to the selection trials."

Hilary, who plays National League football for Albion Ladies, hopes she will fly out next Tuesday with the difference made up.

She is bidding for glory against 66 other countries from June 11 to 16 in Thessaloniki.

Hilary said: 'It is my first international meeting so it will be difficult to think about winning a medal.

"I'm not going out there to lose though and who knows what might happen."

The bubbly Brighton and Hove Club member, twice English Open champion, will be ready.

She said: "People think I look nervous and it is true I might seem a bit wimpy but when I step on the mat I am fully focussed and confident."

Hilary has sacrificed much of her football to ensure a World Championship place.

She said: "I like both sports.

"Football builds my stamina and taekwon-do gives me strength but the martial art comes first now.

"It will next year because I want to go for the European Championships which I missed this year because of my teaching degree course at uni."

The former Patcham High pupil took up taekwon-do eight years ago so she could defend herself physically.

She is a second degree black belt and is coached by Alan Clarke at the King Alfred Centre, Hove.

Prospective sponsors can contact Hilary on 07732-095191.