ANNA Bailey will spearhead a six-strong contingent from Worcestershire at the World Indoor Rowing Championships.

The 52-year-old, from Hanley Swan, will be hoping to repeat last year's feat of two gold medals at the championships in Boston on February 23.

It will be her third appearance at the championships after winning a bronze medal two years ago.

It's the second time she has won a funded place in the AXA PPP healthcare-backed British team, which will be captained by five times Olympic rowing champion Sir Steve Redgrave.

Bailey, a member of the Old Wrecks club, will compete in the women's Veteran A category and is fresh from another gold medal success at the British Championships.

She said: "It's great to be competing for my country and it is wonderful that Sir Steve Redgrave is this year's team captain. Having him with us is sure to give everyone a massive boost and I'm hoping he'll help us find that little bit extra."

Two more Worcester athletes will be looking for success in the men's Veteran A category - Alex Brown, aged 51 (Old Wrecks), and Angus MacKinnon-Little, aged 52 and representing the Super Moose club.

There are three Evesham entrants, all from the Old Wrecks - Michelle Parsons (36) and Helen Barnett (36) in the women's Masters and Brian Hotchkins (47) in the men's Seniors.

They are part of a 75-strong Great Britain team at the championships, which sees around 1,800 competitors race over the Olympic rowing regatta distance of 2,000 metres on identical Concept 2 Indoor Rower machines.

n The third UK Grand Prix event of the year was the North of England Indoor Rowing Championships, held at Manchester's National Cycling Centre, the Velodrome.

Anna Bailey took gold in the women's 50-59 class in 7:14.6, despite still feeling the effects of muscle strain despite several weeks off training. The win guarantees her top spot on maximum points in the series, with one race left to go.

Michelle Parsons also took gold in the women's 30-39 lightweight in 7:29.7, securing her position as overall Grand Prix winner in her category.

Worcester's Sylvia Speechley came second in the 50-59 lightweight class in a time of 7:55.9.

In the men's 30-39 lightweight class, Evesham's Phil Parsons came third in the same race with a new personal best time of 6:38.3,

In the men's 50-59 years section, Angus MacKinnon-Little clocked 7:17.2, improving on his time at the Welsh Championships by two seconds.