A TEEN gymnastics champion has been named alongside Britney Spears in a magazine's young heroes award.

Sam Bayley, 14, is one of seven winners selected in the CosmoGIRL! National Hero Awards selected by a panel of judges.

Hilperton schoolgirl Sam is the current British under-14 champion and has been doing gymnastics for eight years.

Despite illness and a bad fall Sam won the British championship earlier this year and practices at Melksham Gymnastics Club.

She said: "There have been times when I've wanted to pack it all in, but then I focus on my goals. My aim is to compete in the 2004 Olympics."

Celia Duncan, editor of CosmoGIRL!, said: "Sam's awe-inspiring story of courage and determination shows us all that we must get the most out of our lives and never give up."

Sam will appear in this week's issue.