The 17-year-old Wigan and Leigh College student is one of 250 emerging Brits that will receive £1,000 each year in the run up to London 2012 – plugging a financial gap as Grundy looks to take the next step in her career.

Grundy will also benefit from the know-how of Lloyds TSB local hero mentors including former Olympic triple-jump champion Jonathan Edwards, while she has already put the cash to good use investing in new equipment.

"My brother Michael is a wrestling fanatic and I suppose that rubbed off on me. I gave it a go and found I was pretty good at it," said Grundy.

"I've had to take it a bit easy more recently because I've been a lot busier at college so I haven't really been to any competitions.

"But I've still been training hard and the Lloyds funding has been a great help for that. I've been able to get some new boots and leotards with it.

"I really want to break into the full GB squad in the future and maybe one day go to the Olympics.

"The world and European championships are the first steps but after that there's London 2012 and I'd love to be a part of that."

Grundy – who trains at the Wigan and Leigh Wrestling Club at Rose Bridge High School – has already underlined her potential with selection for the GB Development Squad.

The Wigan-born starlet has been part of the set up for the past two years and former Olympic and World Champion Edwards, who still holds the triple jump world record, is predicting a golden future for Grundy.

Lloyds TSB is providing up to £1,000 to 250 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit www.Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes.