Oxford City prospect Bea Swords took part in a training session with former 3000m steeplechase British record holder Jo Ankier at St Mary's College, Twickenham.

Swords was selected alongside several other girls to take part in a session, organised by Geoff Watkin, who is aiming to get more girls competing in the event through the Aqua-Pura sponsored steeplechase initiative.

Ankier lined up at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham less than 24 hours before, in the two-mile race, won by Jo Pavey in a new British and Commonwealth record.

The session started with some video clips from last summer's European Championships, before a drills session in the sports hall followed by a session over the steeplechase barrier on the track.

Others taking part were Charlie Gasper and Tanya Taylor from Milton Keynes, Louise Webb (Team Southampton), Grace Nicolls (Ashford) and Lucy Yates (Shaftesbury).

Ankier, who is targeting this summer's world championships in Osaka, Japan, said: "I was really impressed with the girls, they looked really confident over the barriers,.

"I started the event as a junior, after I had run 1500m for Great Britain, I decided to have a go at steeplechase, which started off over the 1500m distance. Then I moved up to 2000m steeple- chase for the junior championships.

"The steeplechase has given me a real focus and provided me with great opportunities to compete at major championships, so my advice to younger athletes is to have a go and make the most of any opportunities."