A TEENAGE star from Lyonshall, who dreams of becoming a professional triathlete, showed her increasing talent by winning her first British title.

Tia Froom, aged 15, was crowned British Duathlon Champion last weekend in the elite youth race at Bedford.

Despite the event not featuring her favoured swimming discipline the member of the Welsh Triathlon Academy took the lead on the final run leg and built up a winning margin.

After taking up the sport aged nine, Froom now regularly competes against the country's best in her age group in the 'Super Series'

"She was quite a good swimmer for her age and enjoyed cycling which we did together," said her father Chris Froom.

"We saw an advert that there was a Ludlow Triathlon Club trying to get members and we went along.

"She started competing in the Welsh triathlon series for young children and has done that ever since.

"She has grown out of that and stepped up to the larger race series which you have to qualify for with the top 50 from each age category in the country earning a place.

"These events are sprint distances so are shorter distances but are full gas. One very small mistake can see you move from a top 10 position to 30th. You really have to be on top of your game."

Froom trains 10 to 12 hours a week in the swimming pool, eight a week on the bike and four hours a week running in pursuit of her dream of reaching a professional level.

"From a parent point of view it is something she really loves," added Chris.

"She enjoys swimming and is a member of City of Hereford Swimming Club and they are very supportive.

"There are three disciplines in the sport with the swim, bike and run and she is getting stronger one by one by spending a lot of hours training.

"You have to put all three disciplines together and can't be fast at one but you need to be reasonably good at all three.

"Even at Tia's young nationally the top girls in her age category are exceptionally talented.

"At Tia's age she has got to work on her weakness is training but more importantly enjoying the sport and training and see where it takes her.

Meanwhile, also crowned British Duathlon Champion was Ashley Robinson from Shobdon who won the 70 to 74 age category to add a British title to his English Championship win.

It was a double celebration at home as his son Jasper took the silver medal in the 15 to 19 age group category.

"The race went well, " said Ashley.

"I had my eye on the athlete who finished in second place and was able to pull away from him gradually throughout the race. The second run was hard work though as we were running straight into the wind."

Diane Wynne, from Croft Ambrey Running Club, also got on to the podium finishing in third place in the women's 50 to 54 age group. Hereford Triathlon Club's Tim Taylor was narrowly beaten into fourth place in the men's 60 to 64 age group.