Dumfries sprinter Hope Robertson is desperate to follow in the footsteps of former Olympic gold medallist Allan Wells by making her mark on the international stage in 2009.

The 17-year-old, who received a boost this week after being reselected to join the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes initiative, is targeting July's European Championships as her breakthrough Games.

Robertson has met Wells during training camps in Scotland, with her coach Bill Walker having previously mentored the former Olympic and Commonwealth sprint champion.

And the Lockerbie Academy student, who will concentrate on the 100m this season, is convinced she possesses the raw ingredients to book her Team GB berth for the trip to Novi Sad in Serbia in July.

"The European Juniors is the main aim for me this year and I will probably being trying to go in the 100m because my 200m is a bit off at the moment," said Robertson.

?I have to run 12 seconds dead and I am running 12.02 at the moment, so I just need a bit of work. I have never been to a junior competition like that before so it will be a good experience.

?I know Allan Wells quite well and my coach Bill Walker coached him so I have spoken to him before and he is easy to get on with ? he?s an inspiration and someone I?d obviously love to follow.

?The 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow is the biggest aim but I feel if I do enough work I can get myself a place in the 4x100m relay team for 2012 and that would be just as good.

?Ashlee Nelson went to Beijing as a youngster and she was young so it is definitely something I feel I can achieve.?