SAMANTHA Murray’s Olympic hopes have received a boost after she was named in the Great Britain team for the Modern Pentathlon World Championships in Rome next week.

The 22-year-old from Clitheroe has been in the form of her life and recently won the first medal of her career in the World Cup Series, winning bronze in Russia last month.

It follows a string of impressive results in the competition – finishing sixth in Charlotte, USA and fourth in Hungary – which has taken her to the top of the World Cup rankings.

The former Bowland High School pupil has also won the Hungarian Indoor Championships and the Budapest Cup since the turn of the year.

“I’m delighted to have been included in the team,” said Murray. “I’ve managed to keep fit and all the hard work has paid off. I am really pleased and looking forward to it.”

Murray has stormed up to 12th in the overall world rankings and is the second British athlete behind Mhairi Spence who is fifth.

The pair are joined in the World Championships, which run from May 7-12, by Heather Fell, 12th in the world rankings, and Freyja Prentice who is 19th.

Modern Pentathlon, which includes running, swimming, shooting, fencing and riding, is one of Britain’s most successful Olympic sports – and there are only two places up for grabs for London 2012. But Murray, who is studying French and Politics at the University of Bath, is not thinking that far ahead.

“My aim is to get through the semi finals, reach the World Championship final and take if from there,” added Murray, who is also a member of Blackburn Harriers.