Scottish duo Mhairi Spence and Louise Helyer have both safely booked their place in the final of the Modern Pentathlon European Championships in Leipzig, Germany.

Spence, 23 from Inverness, and Kirriemuir's Helyer eased their way through to the last 36 as just two competitors were cut from the field ahead of the weekend's final.

They will be joined in the final by fellow Brits Katy Livingston and Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell, who also secured a safe passage through the qualifiers.

Spence has fond memories of the European Championships, having picked up individual bronze in 2006, when GB's women also picked up team gold and relay silver.

A year later GB women picked up another three medals but were empty-handed in 2008 and while the they will be desperate to return to the podium, performance director Jan Bartu has confirmed August's World Championships take priority.

"There was very little pressure on the athletes today and all of our girls will be competing in the final on Saturday," said Bartu.