Ripon Grammar School student Eleanor Rutter will be winging her way to the World Freestyle Kayaking Championships in Austria next week with help from two local companies.

Ripon plumbing merchant Plumb Center and manufacturer Myson Radiators have jointly donated £400 to help cover the 18-year-old's travel costs to the event in Graz.

Eleanor is Yorkshire's only representative on the five-strong British female senior freestyle team competing at the championships.

She has also been selected for the Pre-European Championships in Sort, Spain, from June 26-28.

Her selection follows her success last year at the European Freestyle Championships, at which she finished fourth, and the Pre-World Championships, where she won a bronze medal.

Eleanor, who started paddling two years ago after taking a beginners kayaking course, said: "I am very grateful for the donation from Plumb Center and Myson Radiators.

"There is limited funding for the sport and I have to fund my own training programme, transport and accommodation for these events. This sponsorship will help enormously."

The £400 cheque was presented to Eleanor by Plumb Center sales director Dave Stubbs and Myson Radiators production director David Taylor, a former international champion kayaker.

Mr Taylor, who won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 1982 and the World Cup in 1980, plus bronze and silver medals at the World Championships in 1979 and 1981, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for Eleanor. I know first hand how important sponsorship is for a sport like kayaking, especially at her age when she is just starting out.

"Myson Radiators supported me when I was competing and it's nice to be the one handing out the money this time."

Mr Stubbs added: "We are pleased to be supporting Eleanor and wish her every success at the World Championships."