POLE VAULTER Louise Butterworth believes she is edging ever closer to a personal best jump after clearing the four-metre barrier in Birmingham.

Paignton's Butterworth, who now competes for Birchfield Harriers, set a new season's best of 4.00m during a guest appearance for UWIC in an inter-university match at the National Indoor Arena.

It was good enough to give Butterworth her second win of the indoor season — just days after her Celtic International Cup success in Cardiff.

The 25-year-old's personal best currently stands at 4.21m, set in Poland in June 2008, and she's confident of matching that jump again soon.

"The Celtic Cup was a good stepping stone for me," said Butterworth. "I was so disappointed after my performance at the UK trials as I haven't been out of the top three for a couple of years.

"It was good to jump a season's best, and the win was good too. However I was still a little disappointed as I didn't have any good shots at 4.05m.

"I feel this was a good thing though, as I competed in the Inter-Varsity competition at the NIA and finally jumped over the 4m barrier.

"With a clearance of 4m the bar went to 4.10m and I had some very good shots at it.

"I feel now that I am finally starting to find my form again and it wont be long before I'm back over 4.20m."

Butterworth's guest leap in Birmingham helped UWIC to third overall in the Inter-Varsity match, behind winners Loughborough and runners-up Brunel.

She's now heading to France for one final indoor competition this Saturday, the Le Perche Tour at Clermont-Ferrand.

"These competitions are great fun," added Butterworth, who became the first member of the Torbay Olympians Fund last year in recognition of her realistic London 2012 ambitions.

"They are usually held in big sportshalls with two purpose-built runways so men and women can jump side by side.

"For the elite competition they have a big opening ceremony and the athletes jump to music. The atmosphere is electric.

"After my performance (in Birmingham) I'm definitely feeling confident and excited to compete this weekend."