Maya Williams is one of the most talented young climbers in Swindon.

At just 11 years old, she is able to scale heights that would leave most adults trembling with fear.

She started climbing three years ago when her mother Karen enrolled her on the Link Centre climbing course, which makes use of the centre's long established climbing wall.

Maya explained: "My parents enrolled me on a climbing course for my birthday because I was always climbing things around the house like the door frames, furniture and that sort of thing.

"I don't know why I enjoy it so much. It is sometimes frightening, but that is what makes climbing so much fun."

Maya holds her own against other members of the club and is the current junior club holder of the speed record up the nine metre high climbing wall "chimney'' with a time of 23 seconds.

Climbing development officer Peter Debbage said: "Most people think that climbing is all about having physical strength, but that is not the case. Although you do need a good strength to weight ratio, it is also a matter of agility, a lack of fear and having the determination to carry on. That is why Maya is able to compete on equal terms against the boys in her group, because she has all these qualities."

Maya's brother Ben, 12, is also a member of the club and the children have managed to pass the climbing bug on to their mother Karen Prager, who has just started on the Link Centre's three week course for adult beginners.

"It is something that runs in the family. My father was a climber and so is my brother so I thought that I would have a go at the sport myself,"said Karen.

The first climbing wall at the Link was made of concrete and built in 1985.

In April this year, larger state-of-the-art walls constructed of moulded fibreglass resin with variable footholds and handholds were added.

This means that routes across and up the walls can now be changed regularly, offering climbers more challenges and variations.

And now the centre will be the venue for the town's first ever bouldering competition on Saturday.

Bouldering is where climbers work at solving difficult climbing problems at a low level, above a crash mat, so there is no risk of injury to those taking part.

The competition is open to anyone aged eight and over who has attended the Link's climbing induction course or who is an experienced climber. The event runs from 11am until 4pm.

For more information on joining climbing courses, contact the Link Centre on 01793 445566.