Andover is close to getting a representative at Tokyo Olympics as Hurstbourne Tarrant girl Holly Mills is now in contention to be selected for the biggest sporting event.

Holly has made a strong bid to book a ticket to Tokyo after her career-best performance in heptathlon in Italy on Sunday.

The 21-year-old recorded personal bests in four out of seven events as well as a personal best points total in Italy.

It also saw Holly reach the Olympic B qualifying mark and enter the all-time top eight of British heptathletes.

Holly started her sporting career at age eight. She was first spotted at a school sports day before she joined Andover Athletics Club. Initially a long-jumper, she took up heptathlon later. She made her international debut at 16.

In 2019, she won gold in the Under-20s Pentathlon at the National Indoor Championships with a record points total, claimed the National Under-20s Heptathlon with a championship record and scooped gold in the long jump at the International Mannheim junior gala.

Holly made her senior Great Britain & Northern Ireland debut at the European Indoor Championships in March this year.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Holly said: "They've narrowed down the field this year, taking only 24 athletes, so I'm two places outside of getting an invite as it stands.

"But if I can put in a similar performance in events in about five weeks' time, that could give me the points I need.

"I'm there or thereabouts at the moment, which is very exciting.

"I know I still have a lot more to squeeze out of every single event. This next block of training is all geared towards building on that PB points total.

"Selection for Tokyo would mean all this work and sacrifice over the years would've paid off and it will be the best call I've ever received."