Milne looks to put injury woe behind her at Youth Olympics

The 18-year-old from Harrogate is the sole British badminton representative in the Far East having earned selection by taking bronze at the European qualification event in Denmark in March.

But after a disappointing World Junior Championships in Mexico, the former Harrogate Ladies' College pupil had to have an operation on an injured knee.

"I made the last 32 at the World Championships but I had a bad draw and that is just one of those things," said Milne.

"I am feeling really excited about Singapore now because I am injury free and feeling good and I just want to play badminton now."

Milne will not have to wait long to take to the court in the Far East with the badminton competition beginning on Sunday.

And the Harrogate Racquets Club ace – part of a 39-strong British Youth Olympic team – insists she has left nothing to chance in her preparations.

"Preparation has been good, I have come out of rehab and everything has been fine," said Milne. "I've been working hard with my coach just getting my game right and working on other people's games so hopefully I'll peak for the Olympics.

"I would love to get to the latter stages of the tournament, semi-finals, finals – that would be really good – but I mainly want to perform and feel good with my game."

n Lloyds TSB is providing awards of 1,000 to over 270 emerging young sportspeople identified each year across Britain, in the run-up to London 2012 and beyond. Visit Lloydstsb.com/Localheroes