A FORMER Tavistock resident has been selected to represent Great Britain in the world championship of Dragon Boat Racing this summer.

Tracey Roberts, 41, now living in Kenton near Exeter, took up the sport last year and has recently been selected to be part of the Great Britain Premier Women's Team at the Dragon Boat Racing World Championships in Tampa Bay, Florida in August.

Dragon boat racing originated in China as a ceremonial activity but has since become a racing sport globally.

Tracey trains with her team, Exe-calibre Dragon Boat Club in Exeter, who were recently promoted to the premier league. She said: 'I joined last year and was instantly hooked. I trained hard all winter for the pre-trials in February and March and was selected recently.

'It is a real honour to be able to put on a GB shirt in a sport that I love.'

Although being selected for the GB team is a huge achievement for Tracey, she said it was also financially a big commitment and she is now seeking sponsorship from any local businesses who can offer support.

'Now I have been selected I will be training 12 times a week and attending training weekends in London. Although there are boats and equipment available at the club, it is unfair for me to be using the equipment all the time when there are others who want to use it too. I really need to buy my own boat. It would be great if a company or business could sponsor me and I would be happy to have the boat branded.'

Businesses who would like to offer Tracey sponsorship can contact her via the Times by sending contact details to Tavistock Times Gazette, 14 Brook Street, Tavistock, PL19 0HD.