More than 80 young athletes from Sutton have given training grants for 2010 by sporting charity GLL Sport Foundation.

Each will benefit from funding of up to £1,250 which can be spent on training, travel and equipment during the next 12 months.

One Sutton award recipient, Tin Tin Ho, is ranked number one in the country for U15 Girls table tennis.

Miss Ho said: “I would like to play in international competitions and win medals. I would also like to play in the Olympics representing Great Britain.

“GLL Sport Foundation supported me by making it easier for the bills with hotels and petrol costs, it has also helped because I can get better equipment to help me.”

In total over 800 young athletes from across London and the South East have been supported worth over £400,000 from the Foundation, making it one of the largest independent athlete talent support schemes in the region.

Peter Bundey, of GLL Sport Foundation, said: "The aim of the Foundation is to provide practical and tangible support for talented young athletes.

"Following the success of our first two years in operation, it is clear that in their local communities many of these young people are proving fantastic role models to others and we want to positively support this message.”