Prolific record breaker Amber Simpson has set her sights on further success when she represents Wales again in the hammer this weekend.

Fresh from her impressive efforts at the Loughbourgh Athletic International, where a throw of 56.95 metres smashed the Welsh record she set a year earlier, the 19-year-old from Shotton now heads to Portugal.

There she will represent her country once more at the Throws International competition in Almada, against some of Europe's best throwing athletes.

A precursor to major senior championships like the Commonwealth Games, the event will be contested by four nations and will pit Simpson against rivals from Spain, Denmark and Portugal.

Simpson said: "I can't wait, it's a major competition and I'm looking forward to the challenge of testing myself against some really strong competition.

"Breaking the U20 Welsh record in Loughborough for a second time felt brilliant, especially because I felt a bit daunted heading into the competition.

"My dad Gareth is my coach and has always been my driving force when I'm competing. He wasn't there on that day, so setting that record as one of the youngest competitors on the day was a great feeling.

"I'm still a junior and was up against all those more experienced ladies, which made the whole thing even more special.

"The challenge now is to keep pushing myself to better my distance. Before I progress to senior competition I want to set a record that will be there for a long time.

"It's something I definitely want to experience again quickly and hopefully I can do that in Portugal and a few weeks later in Geneva - it's an exciting challenge for me."

Simpson's talents within the sport have not gone unnoticed - her achievements have earned a place at the University of Memphis.

Via a UK athletics agency with strong US connections, the Deeside AC athlete was approached by the university's track and field head coach Kevin Robinson.

Impressed with her junior competitive record, the former Flint High School pupil was offered a full scholarship by the institution.

Simpson, who flies out to begin her studies in August, hopes the stateside opportunity will further enhance her impressive progress within the sport.

She said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for me and I was thrilled to be offered a place out there.

"There is a huge emphasis there on the quality of their field event athletes and to be a part of that set-up should be amazing.

"For now my immediate target has to be reaching the 60 metre mark this year and I'll keep training hard towards that goal."