POSITIVE Holly Bleasdale believes the new season could be a career-defining one as she sets her sights on the World Championships.

The Blackburn Harrier has spent the winter training in South Africa and believes the decision to return to Stellenbosch, where she also spent time in 2014, has paid dividends.

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She said: “I’m feeling incredibly positive in the way my 2015 has started. The camp couldn’t have gone any better. I’m feeling fitter, stronger and faster by the week and everything is really starting to come together for me.

“I just loved my time in Stellenbosch last year so much that I couldn’t resist going back again. There’s no greater place in the world to do a warm weather training camp.”

And the 24-year-old pole vaulter, who finished sixth in the London Olympics three years ago but missed most of 2014 through injury, is hoping to return to the big time this summer.

She added: “There’s no doubt about it, 2015 is going to be a very important year for me, with the Bejiing World Championships at the forefront of my mind.

“So having such a positive start to the year has made me even more excited about the next 12 months and I can’t wait to see what they bring.”

Bleasdale could be back in action at the British Indoor Championships in February where she is defending champion.

The Blackburn Harrier took gold in Birmingham in 2014 and would be heavy favourite to repeat that should she start although she has yet to confirm whether she will be competing.

The indoor championships take place on February 21 and will feature Blackburn’s Alison Leonard in the 1,500m.