LOCAL Olympic rowing hopefuls will be taking to the water this weekend for the Great Britain U23 team qualifiers.

A host of West Country rowers will be looking to put in strong performances to secure their places in British boats ahead of the summer World Championships that double as an Olympics and Paralympics qualification regatta.

Nailsworth's Pete Reed was part of the men’s eight which won gold at last year’s World Championships along with Chipping Campden rower Matt Gotrel, who partners Paul Bennett, another member of that triumphant crew, at this weekend’s event.

Gloucester Olympian Beth Rodford will be one to watch in the women's single scull, though she'll be up against the likes of four-time Olympic medallist Katherine Grainger.

Hartpury's Flo Pickles, who recorded the fastest U20 and U23 times at the GB Rowing Team Winter Assessment in February, will be competing in the lightweight women's single scull.

Cheltenham's Emily Carmichael and newcomer Holly Hill from Slimbridge will also be competing in one of the most important weekend of the year for competitive rowers across the country.

Sir David Tanner, GB Rowing Team Performance Director, said: “We will have 13 current World Champions in action at the weekend across the squads and everyone will really want to be on top form to impress, so the racing should be truly world class.

“We are moving into the sharp end of the four-year cycle with 2016 Olympic and Paralympic qualification at stake for our boats at the World Championships in France in September.”

The qualifiers are taking place Friday to Sunday this week in Caversham; go to www.britishrowing.org to keep up to date with results.