A trio of promising youngsters from Luton have each been handed a massive cash boost to help towards developing their sporting talent.

Disabled swimmer Claire Warne, along with taekwondo siblings Gavinder and Prit Sidhu, are all part of the current crop of Young Blades – a scheme set up in conjunction with grooming brand King of Shaves – to provide financial support for talented young athletes.

Now in its fifth year, each young blade receives £1,000 towards their training, kit and competition costs, as well as receiving mentoring sessions from footballer John Terry and Olympic silver medallist Shelley Rudman.

Warne, 15, who broke European and World disability swimming records in 2007, was also shortlisted for last year's BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award and is currently gearing up to compete for Great Britain at the Paralympics in Beijing.

Taekwondo youngster Gavinder Sidhu, 19, followed up his silver medal at the Spanish Open with strong performances at both the National Championships and the Scottish Open earlier this year. Meanwhile, sister Prit burst on to the senior scene in 2007, recording back-to-back wins at both the Scottish Open and Middleweight Spanish Open at the age of just 17.

Applications are now being accepted for the next batch of young blades.
Anyone interested in applying will be required to write 200 words about why they deserve to become a Young Blade and must do so before Saturday, August 30.

For more information, visit www.shave.com/youngblades.