FORMER world champion Eve Muirhead is set to make a rare mixed doubles at the Aberdeen Mixed Doubles Championships, which begin today.

The 29-year-old, who won European Championships silver last month, will partner Bobby Lammie and the event will provide a form guide ahead of the Scottish nationals, which take place in the new year.

Mixed doubles has taken on an extra significance due to its inclusion in the Winter Olympics last year s and Muirhead admits that with the event now having Olympic status, she is looking to take it extremely seriously.

“Whenever there’s an Olympic discipline opportunity you obviously want to give it your best shot,” the Perthshire athlete said.

“And this is a good opportunity for me and Bobby to really work hard together and figure each other out.”

Muirhead may be the most decorated player in the field but she is not taking her competition lightly, with five-time national champion Gina Aitken one of those she will be up against.

“It will definitely be interesting this weekend,” Muirhead said.

“There’s a lot of athletes from the performance programme, so it will be very different playing against our team-mates which will be a little strange, but I think it’s going to be a good event. And it’s good to showcase that Scotland can produce and will produce very strong mixed doubles partners and pairs.”