EAST Yorkshire athlete Hannah Stanton is celebrating a Great Britain call-up.

The 11-year-old from Millington, near Pocklington, finished fifth in the National Biathle Championships at Salford Quay.

The competition also acts as the Great British team selection event – with Stanton taking the fifth and final place in the squad.

She will now compete for Great Britain in the World Biathle Championships in Dubai in November.

Stanton, the former Warter CE Primary School pupil who will start at Woldgate College in September, was competing in the Youth ‘D’ category for girls born in 2000 and 2001 and was one of the youngest entrants.

The category attracted the largest entry of the championships.

In the early stages of the 500-metre run, Stanton was back in about tenth place and she maintained that position going into the changeover and entering the water.

During a rough swim in the Quays, with plenty of pushing and pulling, she pulled up to eighth place.

Going into the second run, Stanton was in seventh and the race was on for the vital fifth qualifying place.

She managed to run down two regular opponents at Yorkshire level, beating them by 23 seconds and 45 seconds respectively.

Her 13-year-old sister, Katrina, a student at Woldgate College, also took part and finished in a creditable 16th place against rivals a year older than her.

Mark Stanton, the girls’ father, said: “Both girls would like to thank their coaches, Alan, Paul, Sara and Kev at Pocklington Dolphins, for their support over the years.

“In addition, Hannah would like to recognise the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which has through its TALCS scheme helped support her efforts.”