TEENAGE swimming star Joanne Jackson was following in her sister's footsteps as she jetted off for her first major international competition this week.

Joanne, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been selected for the 32-strong squad to compete in the Fina World Swimming Championships, taking place in Barcelona this month.

Her older sister, Nicola, competed in the last championships in Japan in 2001 and won a gold medal as part of the women's 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

"It is a little bit daunting, because everyone is expecting me to do what Nicola is doing," she said. "But it is quite exciting at the same time.

"This is my first major competition and it should be a good experience. I won't be setting any targets this time, just getting a taste of what it is all about before Olympics next year."

She will compete as part of the 4 x 200m freestyle relay team. At 17, she is the youngest member of the squad and is the sole representative from the North-East.

She gained her selection at the recent British National Championships, where she finished second in the 400m Freestyle and produced a time that ranks her in the top 20 in the world - not bad for a girl who was in the middle of her GCSE exams at the time.

She trains with her sister as part of Derwentside Amateur Swimming Club at Belle Vue swimming pool in Consett, with coach and swimming development officer David McNulty.

He said: "She has always been good in her age groups, but in the last 12 months has shot through and broken into the seniors.

"It has been hard for her these last few months. The trials came slap in the middle of her exams. It has been stressful but she has come through it all and done a great job."

Joanne, a pupil at Richmond School, flew out for training with the team last weekend, in preparation for the tournament, starting on July 20.