KINVER climbing starlet Sammy Oakes is heading to Austria to represent Great Britain at the European Championships.

The 14-year-old from Meddins Lane will compete against Europe's best young climbers in Dornbirn after being selected for the squad after a Team GB training camp.

Sammy, who attends Hagley RC school, has been climbing walls since he was six years old under the watchful eye of his dad Len, who is assistant head at Redhill School, but also coaches the art of wall climbing at the Crystal Leisure Centre.

Sammy is hoping success at the four-event contest, which ends in Edinburgh, will open the door to a place at the World Championships in Italy later this year.

He has been climbing at national level for the past four years and won the Welsh Open title for his age group last year.

Mum Catherine said: "Sammy is doing very well. He has been trained by his dad but now also gets the benefit of top level coaching as well.

"It is great he is going to be representing Great Britain again and this event will hopefully lead to a place at the World Championships.

"However, Sammy is working very hard but does need support to help fund travelling to represent the nation.

"He doesn't get any funding at the moment so it would be brilliant if anyone could help sponsor him."

Anyone interested can visit gofundme.com/SammyOakesClimbing.