Jessica Mitchell took up diving only 18 months ago but the 11-year-old is already a national champion and on the fast-track training programme for the 2012 Olympics.

She is seen as a serious medal contender - but her development is being hit by lack of training facilities and shortage of funds.

Shortly after she took up the sport Crystal Palace diving pool shut for refurbishment after an asbestos scare. It is due to reopen in December.

Jessica, from Croydon, is forced to go to a gymto practise "dry diving" using a harness and spends nearly 15 hours a week training there. For pool experience she travels 45 minutes to Tunbridge Wells. She needs to spend eight hours a week in the pool. During the holidays she trains on 7.5-metre and 10-metre boards in Sheffield.

Her mother Jane, a 34-year-old civil servant, said: "It is a struggle. Our whole weekend is dedicated to taking Jessica where she needs to go. She's worked fantastically hard."

Chris Snode, director of the London 2012 Olympic Diving Fast Track scheme, said: "Jessica is perfect for Olympic diving. She is one of the best of the best. But the conditions she is having to train in are jeopardising her success in 2012."

Mr Snode said that since Crystal Palace pool shut last September the diving programme has lost £100,000 and he has had to make three full-time and four part-time coaches redundant.

Today he was due to lead a group of young divers to City Hall to appeal to Boris Johnson for more support.

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