Top rower and Olympic medallist Andy Hodge, left, has called on the next generation of British athletes to find out if they have what it takes to follow in his footsteps.

Andy, 28, whose family lives in Hebden, won a gold medal in the men’s coxless four in the Beijing Olympics last year.

Now he is backing an initiative by UK Sport and the English Institute of Sport to find athletes capable of representing Great Britain in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.

“Talent 2016” will consist of a series of searches looking for youngsters with the potential to reach the podium in Brazil. The first search, “Tall and Talented”, is looking for people between the ages of 15 and 22 and over the heights of 180cm (5ft 11ins) for women and 190cm (6ft 3ins) for men, who could find success in sports where height can be an advantage, such as rowing and basketball.

A former pupil of Upper Wharfedale School, Andy said: “At the age of 16, I just spent my time watching TV and riding my bike to my friends’ houses. I never dreamed that I would one day be an Olympic champion.

“I got into rowing by chance, and simply as a way of getting fit. Talent 2016 removes the element of luck involved and provides young athletes with a more structured opportunity to realise their sporting potential.”

To sign up for Talent 2016: Tall and Talented, or to register interest in future Talent 2016 campaigns, applicants should submit their details before November 16 at uksport.gov.uk/talent