CANTERBURY schoolgirl Hannah Olson set an under-15 girls' UK polevault record at an international meeting at Cardiff. The 14-year-old, a pupil at Perry Court, improved her old record by 9cms to 3.60m, and finished fourth in the event against women several years her senior.

Her older sister Natalie, 15, who is yet to recapture her form of last season, vaulted 3.30m, well below her best, in the same event. Their father, Gerry, said that Hannah was flying.

"She's in great form and was delighted with her performance, but Natalie is suffering from a lack of confidence at the moment," he said. "It is coming back and I'm sure she'll get there."

The duo, who are both members of Ashford AC and live in Eastling, are both in UK Athletics' World Class Performance Scheme and have been in heavy winter training. They have attended training camps in Stoke and at Crystal Palace and also work with a sports psychologist.

This weekend they are competing in the AAAs Championships in Birmingham, and before the outdoor season starts they are joining a 10-day training camp in Nice in the south of France.

"The World Junior Championships in Jamaica this season are probably a bit too early for them," added Mr Olson. "But next summer the World Youth Games are in Canada and it is likely we'll aim for them."