Wheldrake teenager Jane McDermott's incredible efforts in the pool have been rewarded by selection to the national squad for a forthcoming world championships.

The 15-year-old swimmer has been picked by Cerebral Palsy Sport to compete for Great Britain in the Cerebral Palsy World Championships to take place in Nottingham from July 26 to 28. She will go for gold in the 50-metre freestyle and the 50m butterfly.

Coach Ruth Bickerdike said: "I'm very proud of her. She's worked extremely hard and deserves it.

"It follows her performances in the national competitions this year; she's performed very well."

McDermott, who only took up competitive swimming less than three years ago, collected her latest batch of medals at the Disability Sport England National Junior Championships when, swimming at under-18 level, she won one gold, four silvers and a bronze.

She is due to go for glory again this weekend at the BT-sponsored Disability Sport England National Long-Course Championships, at Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

Both she and training companion Hannah Bickerdike - Ruth's daughter - will compete in four events at the meet, which is also open to international swimmers.

McDermott's achievements in the past 12 months - plus the fact she has to overcome cerebral palsy which affects co-ordination and strength in her right arm, hand a leg - saw her nominated for the prestigious Girls' Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Yorkshire Electricity PowerPlay Sports Awards 2001.

And her latest accolade of national recognition confirms her growing reputation in the sport, at open age as well as junior level.

"She's come a long way since she began training only two and a half years ago," said Bickerdike.

"Getting selected for these championships is a great achievement."

Before then, McDermott will compete in this weekend's National Long-Course Championships for the disabled, which are also open to international swimmers.

Last year she finished tenth in the 50m butterfly, 15th in the 50m freestyle and 16th in the 100m freestyle, being among the top five Britons in each event. This year she will also swim in the 100m backstroke.

"Judging by the submitted times, I don't think she will win a medal here - it's a very big event," said Bickerdike. "But she will do well against other British swimmers and we're hoping she will do some personal bests."

Haxby-based Hannah Bicker-dike, who suffers from spina bifida, will be looking to follow up her successes in last year's championships, when she took silver in the 50m breaststroke, was fourth in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley, in a new national record, and fifth in the 50m 'fly.

Updated: 11:50 Friday, June 01, 2001