A FRIENDSHIP with British Olympian Kelly Holmes has inspired a teenager to pursue her dream of a future in athletics.

Holly Broughton, 13, began running competitively last year after becoming a fan of Dame Kelly when she won a double Olympic gold for the 800m and 1500m in Athens in 2004.

Holly, a Blackburn Harriers runner from Barnoldswick, signed up to Kelly's website in January, and has chatted to Kelly several times over the forum about her progress in athletics.

The West Craven HIgh School pupil has risen up the ranks fast, breaking the school's 800m record for the first time in 20 years, and representing Lancashire in cross country and sports hall athletics.

She recently left Pendle Athletics Club to join the Blackburn Harriers and compete at a higher level.

Last week, Holly finally got to meet her idol in the flesh after she won a competition on Kelly's website to be her VIP guest at the televised Norwich Union Grand Prix in London.

She and parents Tina and Keith and her fellow Harrier Naomi Thompson went down to Crystal Palace, where Kelly was hosting a special race for athletes sponsored by her On Camp With Kelly scheme, which aims to inspire and mentor the next generation of female middle distance athletes.

Blackburn Harrier Alison Leonard, 17, is on the scheme, and Holly and Naomi cheered her on in the race.

After the race and listening to Kelly give a speech, Holly got to chat to her heroine face to face Holly, from Coates Fields, said: "It was though I'd known Kelly for a lifetime. She has been the backbone of inspiration for me and she lived up to my expectations, and beyond - a truly down to earth person, and my hero."

Kelly, who famously came back from a series of injuries to win two gold medals, has provided support and encouragement for Holly who injured her calf last month during a training run, which has put her out of action.

At the end of the night Kelly gave Holly a big hug and invited her to get in touch again.

Proud mum Tina said: "This last year has been a real whirlwind. Holly's always been sporty, she was very good at football before she got into running, but she's made so much progress so quickly. Her younger brother Jake is into it as well, it's a family trait!

"It was a truly amazing day for Holly when she met Kelly, who is so supportive of young athletes. To go to London and experience the bigger picture of athletics was the icing on the cake."

Naomi, from Blackburn, is also an accomplished 800m runner, one of the fastest 12-year-olds in the country.

Holly's account of her unforgettable day has now been posted on Kelly's website ww.doublegold.co.uk/competition.