Denholme’s Rebekah Tiler followed in the footsteps of Olympic stars Kelly Sotherton and Mark-Lewis Francis as she claimed gold at the Aviva Sportshall UK final in Birmingham.

The 11-year-old Bingley Harriers athlete topped the podium in the vertical jump with a best leap of 64cm at the flagship junior athletics development event of the year.

Tiler – who attends Harden Primary School – qualified for the UK final by also scooping vertical jump gold at the rearranged Yorkshire Regional Final last month.

But after writing her name into the Sportshall history books alongside the likes of Sotherton and Lewis-Francis – who tasted success in 1992 and 1998 respectively – Tiler was more than satisfied with her day’s work.

“I won this event last year and I am very happy to have held on to the title,” said Tiler.

“I was looking to beat my personal best of 67 but I didn’t quite get near to breaking that this time but there is always the future.

“My dream is to go the Olympics and be like my hero Jessica Ennis. I would love to be able to compete like her wearing a GB vest.”

Tiler’s efforts at Birmingham’s LG Arena didn’t go unnoticed, with current Aviva GB & NI team hurdler Will Sharman keeping a close eye on the Harden teenager.

And Sharman – who finished fourth in the 110m hurdles at last year World Championships in Berlin – believes Tiler has a bright future ahead of her.

“All the athletes including Rebekah gave their all and that is great,” said Sharman.

“Some big names have come through Sportshall and it seems to be that this place identifies talent very well so let’s hope we are seeing some more future GB stars.”

* Aviva Sportshall forms part of the Aviva UKA Academy giving children aged nine to 15 a competitive and fun introduction to athletics, with the hope of unearthing future champions along the way. To find out more about athletics, visit aviva.co.uk/athletics