STROUD sprinter Jennie Batten insists she relished mixing with the big names of British athletics after bagging herself an Indoor UK Trials and Championships 200m final berth in Sheffield.

Aged only 19, Batten is making her first foray into the senior ranks in Olympic year and showed no signs of being overawed at the challenge in the Steel City.

The Stroud and District AC star qualified for the final by finishing third in her heat in a time of 24.77 seconds before clocking 25.17 to end sixth in the final.

And with the weekend in Sheffield just her second meet of the season, Batten declared herself content with her early-season form – especially having shared the arena with the likes of Jessica Ennis.

"I did okay actually, it's only my second meet of the season where I have run 200m," said Batten, who is part of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes scheme.

"So I'm just trying to build up a lot of speed as I go through.

"The times weren't great. I felt I could have been quicker but I was really pleased to get into the final.

"I'm using races for training so it's mainly speed work, and trying to get my stamina.

"It's my time to do some speed work so I am doing some competition to get some speed in my legs and get faster and faster.

"It's my first summer as a senior athlete so I'm just looking to get experience.

"Obviously it would be really nice if I was to get a place on an international event somewhere but I'm just looking forward to gaining some experience, racing with some of these girls who you see on television."

But while it was all about rubbing shoulders with Ennis and company, Batten insists it is a trip back to the Steel City that tops her winter athletics agenda in 2012.

The English Institute of Sport hosts the British Universities Colleges Sport Championships on the weekend of February 25 and 26 and Batten cannot wait.

"The Indoor UK Trials isn't my main aim for the year – I am going to do BUCS indoors, that's my main aim," said Batten.

"My main event is 200m so I'm just looking to doing well at the BUCS."

■ Lloyds TSB is a proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Official Supporter of Team GB and ParalympicsGB. Follow the future stars of Team GB and ParalympicsGB at www.facebook.com/lloydstsb localheroes.