by Alex Hoad

Kat Driscoll shed tears of happiness after achieving her life-long goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games.

The 26-year-old Walderslade-born trampoline star earned Great Britain a place in the 16-strong field for London 2012 so it was fitting that it was she that topped the GB selection trial rankings after Saturday’s fourth event in Liverpool.

Already in the driving seat after three events, Driscoll (pictured) scored 53.515 at a packed venue to pip close friend and synchronised trampoline partner Amanda Parker into second (53.410) with Laura Gallagher third (53.160).

Driscoll said: "It was an incredible day and I am so happy. It got a bit emotional at the end, pretty much everyone was crying, spectators included. But they were very happy tears."

Despite her jump-off not being until 5.15pm, Driscoll spent all-day at the venue, supporting youngsters she trains who were competing from 9am.

She said: "The atmosphere made it feel like a competition, even though everyone knew it was a jump-off.

"I think the pressure of the situation made it difficult. They were not world-class performances, but they were good enough."

Driscoll vowed to continue with her preparations and routine in the same way she has since giving up full-time work in a bank near her new home in Durham two years ago.

She said: "I don’t want to change anything. What I’ve done over the past two years has got me here, so I don’t want to change it now.

"We all know the Olympics is a big deal, but the more you make of it though, the more stress you put on yourself. I think in the past we’ve not got that balance right. So this time we’re just going to try and look at it like any other competition."

Driscoll will fly to Spain and Switzerland for World Cup meetings in June before being summoned to Loughborough for TeamGB preparations ahead of the squad announcement at the start of July.