Beddington boxer Charlie Edwards is hoping a senior Great Britain debut will play a key part in his quest to qualify for the London Olympics.

The 17-year-old jets off to Finland next week for the Tammer Tournament in Tampere where he will be the youngest competitor on show.

The Beacon High School student, who turns 18 in February, has been identified as a 2012 hopeful as part of the Team GB development pathway.

And the Hollington ABC fighter - trained by Gary Hale and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Darren Langley - believes the experience will give him an idea of what it will take to make his dream come true.

“It is all good experience and if I do well it will put me in a good position for the Olympics. Another step along the way,” he said.

“It will show me the level I have to get up to over the next couple of years.

“I’m not peaking yet. I’m peaking for 2012 and this will give me an idea of how much I’ll need to put in to get there.”

Edwards won the junior Four Nations title to be crowned British champion at 48kg in July, but the trip to Scandinavia will be against much older and experienced opposition.

Although, he remains confident of making a good impression.

“Seventeen is the youngest you can be to be in a senior event, so it is going to be tough,” he added.

“I’m fit and healthy and have been training twice a day for a while now to prepare for this.

“I’m pretty confident I can do well. The coaches wouldn’t have picked me if they didn’t think I could win.

“Whatever happens it will be a valuable experience.”