GOALKEEPER Helen Smith may barely reach five feet in her stocking feet but she'll be walking ten feet tall next month when she strikes out to play in an international sporting competition.

The 43-year-old from Shildon, is one of 7,000 athletes from 162 countries taking part in a Special Olympics World Games in Dublin in June.

She has been training hard with other members of the Great Britain squad and last week was given some special tips by Darlington goalie Andy Collett during a visit organised by caretaker manager Mick Tait.

Helen, who has learning difficulties and attends the Oaks centre at Newton Aycliffe, has been a football fan as long as she can remember and used to go to all the home games at Shildon with her late father Basil.

She keeps fit by swimming and exercising at Aycliffe Leisure Centre where staff have given her a personal training schedule.

She said: "I'm hoping to get in plenty of extra training before I go to Dublin. It will be a brilliant experience."

Helen's mum Dorothy said: "I am so proud of her. She is doing this for her dad, who would have loved to share this with her."

Four other people from the county are in the Northern Regional squad.

All are footballers: David Bewick, from Stanley, Paul Kerwin, from Spennymoor, Billy Amos, from Bishop Auckland, and Susan Hakin, from Crook.