STEVE Lewis's impressive form in the pole vault has seen him selected for next month's IAAF World Indoor Championships in Turkey.

Lewis, from Light Oaks, has been named in a 39-strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad for the March 9 to March 11 event in Istanbul.

But there is no place for fellow Olympic hopefuls Kate Dennison, the Alsager pole vaulter, or Emma Jackson, the 800m runner, from Newcastle.

Lewis, aged 25, showed why he is still the UK number one in his event after clearing 4.72m at the Finale du Perche Elite Tour meeting in Nevers, France, on Saturday.

It was the former Holden Lane student's best clearance for almost two years ... and his joint-second highest behind a personal best of 4.75m set in January 2009.

He will join the likes of current 5,000m world champion Mo Farah and defending world indoor champions sprinter Dwain Chambers and pentathlete Jessica Ennis in Turkey.

UK Athletics head coach Charles Van Commenee said: "This is a strong team and one that can realistically challenge for medals and make finals.

"There are some good athletes coming through and I am looking forward to seeing how they perform on the senior international stage.

"There have been some good performances during the indoor season which bodes well for Istanbul and beyond. The indoor season gives useful information about how athletes are progressing.

"It is important to remember that the focus still remains on London 2012."

Lewis's inclusion for Turkey completes a good week for the former City of Stoke star, who now competes for Newham and Essex Beagles.

His performance in France was good enough to secure the A standard for the Olympics and the World Indoor Championships.

He has also won sponsorship from Realis Estates, the developer behind the City Sentral project in Hanley.

Dennison, aged 27, has been overlooked in favour of British record-holder Holly Bleasdale and up-and-coming Sale youngster Katie Byers. It was Bleasdale, from Blackburn, who took her long-held spot as UK number one last summer.

Dennison continued her recovery from a stress fracture in a shin by clearing 4.52m to win at Nevers.

She said: "Things are progressing nicely, and I feel like I am back on track and smiling again.

"We decided to take things slowly as it can be a tricky injury to deal with.

"We have decided to stay on a medium run-up for indoors as the injury is not quite ready for my full run-up."

Marilyn Okoro is the only woman in the squad for the 800m, although Jackson, aged 23, is yet to perform over middle distance since the turn of the year.