HANNAH Taunton has taken her place alongside some of Team GB's top talents, in British Athletics' Paralympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2020.

British Athletics announced on Monday that 46 athletes had been offered membership to the programme, with the 28-year-old runner from Taunton among them.

Hannah Cockroft, Jonnie Peacock and David Weir - all gold medallists at the London 2012 and/or Rio 2016 Paralympic Games - are among those to feature.

Membership onto the WCP for 2020 is based upon an athletes’ potential to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024.

There are two levels of membership - ‘Paralympic Podium’ and ‘Paralympic Podium Potential’ - with Taunton among 16 athletes in the latter group.

This follows her recent gradation from the British Athletics Futures Academy Programme, and her senior international debut in the T20 1500m at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai last November.

Somerset County Gazette:

INTERNATIONAL DEBUT: Hannah Taunton pictured at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai. Pic: Getty Images/British Athletics​

Taunton's mum Gill told the County Gazette: "Hannah was thrilled and excited to be worthy of such an award and, in consultation with her coach Charlotte Fisher, has accepted it.

"This means that British Athletics recognizes Hannah's potential to win a medal, in the 1500m T20 category, at the Paralympic Games be it Tokyo 2020 and/or Paris 2024.

"In order to do this she must show continued improvement in her performances in the 1500m.

"The funding offered will enable her to participate in events further afield, and to buy kit.

"Hannah will also continue to receive nutrition and lifestyle advice in order to facilitate her potential success.

"We, as parents, are proud of Hannah's dedication and commitment to a sport she is so passionate about.

"We are grateful, not only for the excellent coaching she receives from Taunton AC, but to her friends and fellow runners at TAC, Running Forever Running Club and local Parkruns for their friendship and support."