Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust (NBLT) has launched a support programme for local talented athletes.

The Talented Athletes Programme (TAP) offers athletes of minimum county standard financial and coaching support to develop their abilities.

Under the NBLT scheme, selected athletes receive £1,500 and free membership at Pingles and Bedworth Leisure Centres, as well as equipment and support from trained employees from the NBLT’s sport and recreation team.

Heidi Lockyer, NBLT leisure development officer, said: “The opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games prompted our sport and recreation manager, Kevin Hollis, to develop a scheme to specifically help individual athletes to progress to the next step of their career.”

Olympic and Commonwealth race walker Andrew Penn, swimmer Daniel Waddingham and badminton player Catherine Grant have already benefited from the scheme.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust is a partner of the Greater Warwickshire Sport Partnership, which works to develop sporting opportunities for people throughout Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire. Details: www.nbleisuretrust.co.uk

Photograph: Swimmer Daniel Waddingham