TANIA Franklin is looking to build on a successful season as she starts her new campaign at the South West Championships in Cheltenham this weekend.

The Functional Fitness powerlifter, from Bicester, set a host of regional records and finished fifth at the British Championships last year.

The aim for Franklin on Saturday is a podium finish and to push for a place in the England team, with the South West Championships the first qualifying event for national competition.

She said: “The training camp has been gruelling and I have made some significant progress between last season and now.

“I am looking forward to competing again and improving on my results from last year.”

Teammate Nicola Wheeler will make her competitive debut after impressing in the gym.

And after working hard to get up to competitive standard, the paramedic is looking forward to putting it into practice in Cheltenham.

“I have really enjoyed all the training I have done in preparation for the championships,” she said.

“I didn’t realise how strong I could become in such a short amount of time.

“I can’t wait to enter my first championships.”

Coach Logan Usher added: “Everyone in the gym has been training tremendously hard and Tania and Nicola are no exception.

“They have been pushing themselves to the limits in preparation for this season.

“I am sure all of their hard work will come to fruition, starting at the South West Championships.”