A TALENTED ice hockey player is looking for funding to help her realise a dream of becoming a world class star.

Natalie Arthur, one of the youngest ever players to represent Great Britain, is hoping to attend an Olympic training Programme in Canada for elite players.

If she goes, Natalie will just be one of a handful of British-based players to attend.

However, her hopes of becoming a professional player could all hinge on a £3,500 sponsorship package to send her on the seven month programme in Calgary in August.

She has already been awarded £300 from the Blackburn and District Sports Council and is now hoping local companies come forward to help.

Natalie, who is now 17, broke into the GB squad when she was just 14 and was the only girl to attend the North of England trials at the age of 12.

She first started playing at the age of nine with Blackburn Hawks who sent her to Altricham to help further her career.

She has since returned to Blackburn but her game has flourished and she has been a regular member of the GB ladies squad -- competing in World Championships in Hungary and Slovenia -- and also attended Canada's School of Excellence for three weeks.

She said: "I met Kathy Berg who ran Team Canada a few years ago and we have kept in touch. She has invited me to attend the course but now it is a case of raising the finances."

She added: "I am the only person from this country to be invited to attend the training programme and it would be my dream to go.

"I would love to become a professional player and ice hockey in Canada is massive. Attending the training programme would give me a real chance of getting noticed."

Andrea Dixon, Blackburn with Darwen Council's active communities development officer, is helping Natalie with her sponsorship package.

She said: "Natalie is a very talented player and one of Blackburn's young and exciting stars.

"However to realise that potential to the full she needs assistance and that is something we are trying to do."

Anyone who would like to help should contact Natalie on 01254 776542 or Andrea Dixon on 01254 587243.