SKIING starlet Astrid Brocklehurst-Flynn has won a place on a sponsored athletes programme after her talent was spotted by Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards.

The former Olympic ski-jumper was a star judge in an initiative run by Chill Factore, with the prize for the winners including a year's free access to the indoor ski slope and specialist training.

He was charged with picking out five future stars of British snowsports from a shortlist of 21 young athletes.

And six-year-old Edenfield CE Primary School pupil Astrid caught the eye of the legendary daredevil after he witnessed her freestyle skiing routine at the Manchester venue.

Proud parent Andy Brocklehurst, of Edenfield, says his daughter has been on a high since being picked out of the pack.

"Her mum and I are incredibly proud of her – she works so hard," he said.

"Astrid was on the slope at Chillfactore doing race training when she heard she had won a place on the scheme.

"She has been on a real high ever since.

"We hope this opportunity will give Astrid the best possible chance to keep on improving her skills, build more confidence, keep having fun and win a lot more races."

Astrid starting learning to ski aged three, with her parents taking her to Chill Factore for lessons ahead of a family holiday.

Andy added: "She really took to it and now loves to race and also do 360s (a jump and 360-degree turn).

"She has won races at Pendle, Sunderland and Stoke and came third in the North West Schools Championship in the under-8s girls' category.

"Her dream is to represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics and ski as fast as Dave Ryding (Chorley-born British men's slalom skier)."

The 21 finalists were judged on their potential, willpower and flair while being put through their paces on the 180m real snow slope at Chill Factore.

All five winners tipped the scales in terms of their passion for the sport, as well as their technical ability.

Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards said: “We received more than 100 entries from passionate skiers and snowboarders and were overwhelmed by the standard of the competition.

"We launched the initiative with the aim of recognising talented young athletes and rewarding children with potential, passion and the determination to achieve their dream.

“Every single finalist gave it their all and really impressed us – picking only five winners proved really difficult.

"But I believe our selected five will thrive from the opportunities the Sponsored Athletes Programme will bring them.”