HEBDEN rower Andy Hodge has this afternoon helped Great Britain qualify for the Olympic final of the men's eights.

Hodge is competing in his fourth consecutive Olympics and is gunning for a third gold medal in the men’s eights.

He was in the GB team that defeated Netherlands, New Zealand, and Italy in today's first heat.

The GB team finished in a time of 5:34.23, nearly two seconds clear of second placed Netherlands (5:36.16). New Zealand finished third in a time of 5:36.28, and Italy finished fourth (5:52.83).

The second heat saw Germany qualifying for the final in a time of 5:38.22 at the expense of the USA who finished second (5:40.16) and third placed Poland (5:42.32)

Hodge occupied seat number three in the GB boat. The final takes place on Saturday afternoon.