THE OLYMPIC dreams of top rhythmic gymnast Caroline Jackson are under threat if she is unable to find herself a sponsor.

The 16-year-old from Lychpit finishes her A-levels next summer and then will take a year out to concentrate on her dream of a place in Athens.

She has to travel to Heathrow six days a week to receive specialist training and this alone costs £96 a month.

Her mother Vena Jackson said: "As she trains outside the area she receives no funding from Basingstoke, but she has to go there because of the level she has reached.

The current Gazette Sports Personality of the Year came back from Canterbury last weekend having gained two English titles.

This weekend she will look to add British titles to that as she travels to Burton-on-Trent to take part in the British Championships.

After that, Jackson will travel to Vancouver in Canada to represent Britain before spending the summer travelling between Moscow and Bulgaria, receiving training and taking part in competitions.

Her plea has touched Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter and he said: "She is a talented youngster. It would be such a shame if she was forced to give up a sport that she is good at because of a lack of money."

Last year Jackson helped Great Britain to their best-ever finish of 10th place in the World Championships in Madrid.

She needs around £5,000 to keep her at the top of her sport.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Vena Jackson on 07970 418856.