A PERSHORE Phoenix trio have qualified to paddle for Great Britain at the IDBF World Dragon Boat Championships.

Pauline Young, David Blackmore and Michael Dacombe have been involved with the British national training scheme over the winter ahead of the competition in Pattaya and Rayong, Thailand, from August 20 until 25.

Young is now part of the grand dragons squad while Blackmore and Michael Dacombe are in the under 18s set-up.

Funded by friends, family and themselves, the trio will travel out with GB earlier to acclimatise to the weather and time difference.

Phoenix's next race is in Milton Keynes on June 1.

Training sessions are at 6.30pm on Wednesdays and 9.30am on Sundays at the Defford base shared with Arden Sailing Club.