Elaine O'Neill is one of the best young sprinters in the country

Teenage Chippenham sprinter Elaine O'Neill is hoping a change of coach will help her in her goal of making a major European meeting in 2009.

The 19-year-old is now training under the guidance of Tom Crick at her base at Loughborough University.

She is working towards qualifying for the European Under-23 Championships.

"I'm really enjoying it and it's going well. I'm working on acceleration and he (Crick) is very positive," she told BBC Radio Wiltshire.

O'Neill has been given a �1,000 grant from North Wiltshire District Council to help fund her development this year and the former Sheldon School pupil says it will be put to good use.

"It's amazing. I'm honoured to get it and it's a great help.

"The expense of travelling is so much now and it'll help me get around to competitions," she said.

The European Under-23 Championships take place in Kaunas, Lithuania, between 16-19 July.

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