AN up and coming cyclist with eight national championships under her belt is being sponsored by Low Howgill Butchers and Deli in Appleby.

Seventeen and still at school, Henrietta Colborne is a road and track cyclist who is training hard and aiming high.

To help achieve peak fitness, Jennie and Steve Allison have decided to sponsor the athlete, providing meat from their new butchers in Appleby.

Henrietta moved to Milburn near Appleby with her family seven years ago and has been a keen cyclist since a holiday with her Dad, riding a tandem bike aged eight.

She rides for Hull-based team ‘Team Jadan’ and completed the British Cycling Olympic Talent team programme in 2014, aimed at top cyclists in the 15-17 age range.

In October Henrietta was named in the GB Junior Academy for 2015/16, giving her access to some of cycling’s best training arenas.

Living at Milburn near the Low Howgill Farm, Henrietta got to know John Taylor and his family well and they have always been keen to encourage her competitive cycling spirit, supporting the young athlete by supplying meat from the farm.

Since daughter Jennie and husband Steve opened the Low Howgill Butchers & Deli, the family has continued to sponsor Henrietta, providing their locally reared beef and pork.

Henrietta said: “I’ve always been grateful for the support I’ve received from the Low Howgill family. Jennie’s dad first offered their home grown meat as part of my daily diet and now the butchery and deli has opened, Steve and Jennie have continued to support me. We like to pop down to the shop, for inspiration, but our ‘protein packs’ of fresh meat are still home delivered!

"What I eat is very important, I try to stick to a healthy, and well balanced that includes pasta and meat. Everything in moderation, but the pork is top quality.”

Steve said: "We’ve watched Henrietta develop as a sportswoman and enjoy seeing her do so well. She’s now racing against more senior riders so we want to give her all the encouragement we can. Our meat has full provenance and traceability and it is a rich source of protein.

"Henrietta appreciates the local provenance and has great choice of pork, beef and chicken. It’s good to know that one of the UK's up and coming sportswomen will be enjoying some of our produce this Christmas. We wish her every success as she enters the more senior races."