A SUPERFIT teenager is to join the British team for a European triathlon competition.

Beth Eyles, from Leeming Bar, near Bedale, qualified for Team GB at the Deva triathlon in Chester.

The 17-year-old flies out to Portugal next May to take part in the 2016 Lisbon ETU Standard Distance European Triathlon Championships.

Now Beth, a former pupil of St Francis Xavier School in Richmond, who took part in her first triathlon when she was eight, is appealing to businesses for sponsorship.

“It’s really cool to have got this far,” said Beth, who is doing an apprenticeship in horse care and management at Feedale Farm Riding School at Copt Hewick, near Ripon.

“I’d love to qualify for the world championships and, of course, the Olympics would be a dream come true.”

In the last year she has won her age group title in the Cleveland Triathlon Club’s Sprint and Steel Man events.

She is now training five times a week for about 90 minutes per session, and she competes twice a month. She is also a keen rider.

She has already secured some sponsorship from Ripon Farm Services, but she still needs help with her air fare, team kit, nutrition and bike accessories.

“It would be lovely to be sponsored by some more businesses,” said Beth, whose parents Kate, a midwife, and Andrew, a leisure centre duty officer, have both completed half Iron Man triathlons.

“I would wear their logo on my kit and I would promote them by word of mouth, both at events here in the UK and when I go to Lisbon.”

Contact Beth on 01677 422938.