Malpas-based electrical business Barlows have given their backing to a future star of flat racing.

Elisha Whittington races with Manor House Stables in Malpas, which is run by Tom Dascombe and was founded by former footballer Michael Owen.

Mark Holden, who is a director at the company which is based on the Hampton Heath Industrial Estate, says they are delighted to be sponsoring Elisha.

He said the move to give her the backing comes from the opportunity to support a local talent as well as boosting his company's national profile.

"We are delighted to announce we have sponsored Flat Jockey Elisha Whittington for the upcoming racing season," he said.

"Elisha is a local apprentice jockey working at Tom Dascombe’s yard.

"Last season, Elisha managed four wins, including one at Chester in the summer aboard Dragons Tail owned by the former England forward.

"With our support and more hard work, Elisha is looking to push on this season to earn more rides and more winners.

"We have decided to support Elisha because she is local to the area being based at Tom yard in Malpas, just a minute away from our head office.

"We feel that with our support she can pursue her career and get to the top of her sport.

"For Elisha, we are able to help fund her racing equipment that is quite expensive we feel we need to help as much as we can to ensure she is able to continue doing what she is doing and take it to the next level.

"For us, Elisha will be wearing racing breaches with our logo on her leg in all of her races this season,

"This kind of coverage all over the UK is invaluable to us.

"As her races are broadcasted live on Racing TV or Sky Sports Races, the Barlows logo will be getting constant TV coverage."

Elisha's record in recent weeks has been mixed in the last two weeks, with two third-placed finishes sandwiched between a ninth spot at Wolverhampton.

For more about Manor House Stables, which is in Shay Lane in Hampton, head to www.manorhousestables.com