MORGAN Lake's father and coach insists she will never forget her roots following her nomination for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 18-year-old Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow star is among 10 of the country’s top young performers to win a place on the shortlist for the prestigious award.

The former Wellington College pupil has enjoyed a remarkable 12 months in which she became the 2014 World Junior champion in both heptathlon and high jump.

She followed that by winning the 2015 European Junior championships in high jump to further enhance her reputation.

But while Morgan is already targeting a place in the GB squad for the Olympic Games in Rio next year her dad, Eldon, insists her feet remain firmly on the ground.

He told the Observer: “The family were so proud when we heard the news of Morgan’s nomination.

“It’s wonderful to see her acknowledged in this way. She puts in so much hard work and she deserves everything she gets. She’s a local girl coached by her dad and she’s very proud of her roots.

“She started with Slough Juniors when she was five and is with WSEH now, so it’s great for those clubs too. They gave her the start she needed in sport and hopefully her success will be a great example to others in the future.”

Lake, also voted the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Young Athlete of the Year, is joined on the BBC YSPOTY shortlist by gymnasts Brinn Bevan and Ellie Downie, para-swimmer Tully Kearney, diver Matthew Lee, horse racer Tom Marquand, freestyle skier, Molly Summerhayes and weightlifter, Rebekah Tiler.

Ascot’s Sam Curran, another Wellington College student, is also on the shortlist.

Judges – who include 2013 winner and skeet shooter Amber Hill who attended Claire’s Court School in Maidenhead – will name their top three contenders on Blue Peter on December 10. The overall winner will be announced live at the Sports Personality of the Year Awards in Belfast on Sunday, December 20.

Eldon added: “There are some great athletes in that top 10. Just being nominated itself is a massive achievement for Morgan.

“She is really looking forward to the awards night. Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah have been nominated for the main awards so she can’t wait to meet her idols.

“The main thing is we keep putting the hard work in during training and keep performing well.”

Morgan is already building up for the Olympics in Rio, where she hopes to seal her place in the GB heptathlon team in May and the high jump squad in July.

“Morgan is so level headed and focussed on her sport,” added Eldon.“In fact, she looked back on the past year and thought she could have done even better.

“But we are so proud of her. Our number one priority now is to get on that plane to Rio and experience a full Olympic Games. That has always been her dream."

Previous YSPOTY winners include Wayne Rooney, Claudia Fragapane, Ellie Simmonds, Tom Daley and Andy Murray.

WSEH spokesman, Dennis Daly, stated: “Morgan Lake is a truly remarkable athlete and hence it is no surprise that she in amongst the contenders for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

“She is well deserving of her nomination and it is hoped that the 600 plus WSEH members cast their vote to ensure she receives the top accolade for her achievements.”