Maidstone hurdler Jack Green has set his sights on next year’s World Championships after receiving a major boost from UK Athletics in his bid to reach the showpiece event of 2011.

Green, pictured, has been rewarded for his fifth-place finish in the 400m hurdles at July’s World Junior Championships in Canada with funding from the sport’s governing body.

The 19-year-old is part of the development funding programme, which represents a major vote of confidence from UKA head coach Charles van Commenee, with the no-nonsense Dutchman only rewarding 132 athletes.

And Green – who is also supported by Lloyds TSB as part of their Local Heroes initiative – admitted the news was just the fillip he needed.

"I was pleased with how this season went and the highlight has to be the fifth I got at the World juniors," said Green – who also won the England under-20 400m hurdles title this year.

"The main aims for me next year are twofold as I’m looking for gold at the European Under-23s and then also want to make the final at the senior World Championships. It is important I get there because with London 2012 around the corner, I don’t want that to be my first senior international competition."

Lloyds TSB Local Heroes is an initiative in partnership with SportsAid providing support and funding to over 270 of Britain’s most talented developing athletes on their journey to London 2012 and beyond.

To find out more about Lloyds TSB Local Heroes visit www.lloydstsb.com/localheroes