Essex University hopes to train more future sporting stars after being selected for a national scholarship programme.

The Colchester campus has been chosen as an accredited centre for the Sport England Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS).

The scheme aims to enable elite athletes to fulfil their potential.

Dr Dave Parry, the university’s performance sport director, said: “TASS has supported many athletes to achieve success at the highest levels of international sport, such as skeleton bobsleigh champion Shelley Rudman and Olympic champion in the women’s coxless pairs Helen Glover.

“With the re-launch of TASS as a Sport England programme, our selection as an accredited centre reaffirms our status as a university that is capable of supporting the most talented young athletes in the country.

“It is also a perfect fit with our athlete-centred package of support services that we offer sports scholarship students.”