British modern pentathletes Sam Weale and Nick Woodbridge have both qualified for the final of the World Cup event at Millfield in Somerset on Saturday.

Jan Bartu, Pentathlon GB performance director, said: "The results mean we have qualified men for finals at three consecutive World Cups this year."

"That is a step-up in terms of their delivery under pressure," he added.

A British male modern pentathlete has not competed at an Olympic Games since Atlanta 1996.

Bartu is hopeful of an improved showing from both athletes in Saturday's final to score more ranking points towards their campaigns to qualify for the Beijing Olympics.

"We could also see room for improvement, for instance, in Nick's shooting and Sam's fencing," he said.

"I'm glad they've got another opportunity to improve on Saturday and I'm looking forward to seeing them earn some valuable points on home soil."

Woodbridge, originally from Shropshire but now training at the Pentathlon GB high performance centre at the University of Bath, comfortably qualified top of the semi-final C rankings with a total score of 4288.

"It was all about qualifying today," said the 21-year-old. "I was pleased with my fencing and my swim is always solid."

"I was feeling alright for the run, so I knew if I was up there I'd be safe.

"My shooting score of 172 wasn't great, it was good enough for today but it will have to be better in the final."

Sam Weale started well, equalling his personal best in the shooting range with a score of 186 from a maximum 200, but a disappointing performance in the fencing saw him drop down the field to 12th ahead of the run.

With just 12 athletes qualifying for the final from each semi, Weale, originally from Yeovil but now based in Bath, had to produce a controlled run to secure a berth in the final, finishing in 9:34.54 for joint sixth overall in semi-final A with 4260 points.

"I enjoyed the first two events today, but I switched off a bit in the fencing and I've learned a lesson from that," said the 25-year-old.

"The run was a bit harder than I thought, but I knew I'd be able to make the final."

"I could see who was behind me, and there was plenty more there if I'd needed it, everyone starts from zero again in the final," he added.