ASKAM-In-Furness table-tennis sensation Emily Bolton is celebrating after becoming National Champion in the English Schools' Individual Championships.

Her win has led to her being selected to play for the England Schools Under 14 girls playing in the Senior Schools International to be held in Guernsey in June.

The14-year-old, who attends Dowdales School in Dalton-in-Furness swept aside all opposition at The Dome in Doncaster.

Having qualified as County champion earlier in the year, Emily took on the very best England had to offer, with each opponent a County champion in their own right.

To add to her achievement, Emily was playing in the Under 16s category, meaning she was one of the youngest players in the group.

Having won through her group on the day, and defeating quality opposition in the Quarter and Semi-Finals, Emily took on Yuki Wat for the English Number One title. In an enthralling encounter that went all the way, Emily eventually won 14-12 in the deciding fifth set having crucially survived a match-point.

She was presented with the Under 16s National trophy.

Emily started playing table-tennis while at Askam Village School, reaching the National Semi-Final when she was in Year Six. Since starting at Dowdales, she has regularly attended England training camps and has played internationals for her country.

"I was delighted with my performance on the day - it was a great result for me,” Emily said.

This is the second time Dowdales School has had a national table-tennis champion, with Helen Crawford winning the Under 13s title in 2003. The secondary school has a strong reputation for the sport, having finished third and fourth in England again this year in the Under 13 and Under 16 Girls finals at the team championships in Hinckley, and having been National Under 13 Boys' champions in 2004.