A WYRE FOREST schoolgirl is determined to create a big splash in Italy next month.

Lauren Collins, a pupil at Heathfield School in Wolverley, has been included in Team GB who will be doing battle in the eagerly-awaited Youth Olympics.

The 14-year-old will take part in the women's 4x100m freestyle relay on Monday, July 4, and the women's 100m freestyle the following day.

Her busy schedule also involves taking part in the women's 50m freestyle on Thursday, July 7, and the women's 4x100m medley relay the next day.

Collins, who began swimming at the age of three and started performing competitively when she was nine, said: "I feel honoured to be selected to represent Great Britain for the third time and this is the biggest event I will have done. My ambition is to be selected for the Olympic team in 2008 when I will be 17."

Collins, who trains with the City of Birmingham Swimming Club, is dedicated to the sport and keeps in tip-top condition with several early morning sessions before attending Heathfield School. Then, after lessons, it's often back into the pool!

In 2003 she was selected for the National Potential Programme under the guidance of British swimming coach, Bill Sweetman.

Collins began attending swimming training camps initially at Loughborough and then in France, China, Mexico and North America.

She has already represented Great Britain in Dallas, Berlin and Stockholm and will be leaving for Italy with the rest of the 16-strong swimming squad on Saturday, July 2.