Exclusive by Alex Hoad at the Olympic Park

Great Britain hockey star Ashley Jackson says the pressure of competing at a home Olympics is in stark contrast to his Olympic debut four years ago.

The West Malling Star, 24, is one of the leading lights in the GB team, having been named World Young Player of the Year and twice named in the World Team of the Year since making his Olympic bow in Beijing.

The former Sutton Valence School pupil, born in Chatham, is hoping GB can improve on their fifth-placed finish in China when they begin their campaign against Argentina at the Riverbank Arena on Monday evening.

Jackson told KentOnline: "You couldn’t ask for two more different experiences as far as Olympic Games go.

"Four years ago we were ninth in the world and noone really knew we were even going. There was no pressure on us at all, apart from the pressure from within the group itself.

"We had a successful tournament really. We finished fifth. We drew with Australia in the group and just narrowly lost to the Dutch.

"We messed up a little bit and drew with the Canadian side and that kept us out of the semi-finals, but we still finished fifth. It was a pretty successful tournament and a really enjoyable experience."

He however added: "Four years on we are ranked fourth in the world and everyone’s here talking about us winning a gold medal.

"The pressure is moreso from outside the group than it is from within the group and everything is pretty much the complete opposite of four years ago."

Jackson is among the most recognisable players in the game with an appearance almost as high profile as his ability, earning him nicknames including the ‘David Beckham of Hockey.’

However the man himself is clearly uncomfortable with such comparisons and revealed: "That’s been blown up way too much. Nothing has changed for me in the past four years except I’m four years older.

"I was two years into the team then and I’m six years into the group now. The squad has grown with confidence and experience over the last four years.

"Nothing’s changed in the way I do things away from the game or anything like that."

Jackson will be supported by a band of travelling fans from Kent when GB open their campaign against Argentina on Monday night.

He said: "I have people coming up from Kent - mum and dad, my brother, my grandad, quite a few people are coming up to watch.

"That’s the whole plus point of having a home Olympics - people get to come and watch you on the biggest stage there is."

Get live updates on Kent athletes every day of the Games, direct from the Olympic venues via Alex Hoad's twitter @kentonline2012