GREAT Britain has been tasked with claiming its biggest medal haul in Winter Olympics history and East Lancashire skier Dave Ryding will hope to play a helping hand.

UK Sport, the funding agency which distributes money to elite Olympic and Paralympic sport, has challenged Britain to win four to 10 medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Britain won four medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics, equalling the 1924 haul from Chamonix, but the Sochi haul could rise following the Russian doping scandal.

The XXIII Games begin on February 9 and conclude on February 25.

And Ryding, who finished in 12th place at the latest World Cup event in Adelboden, has a shot at a medal following an impressive two years on the international circuit.

The 30-year-old, from Chorley, has three top-10 finishes to his name in the slalom this term and is among the medal contenders in Pyeongchang.

Ryding, who developed his trade at Pendle Ski Slope, will lead the GB Skiing contingent at the games.