Eleven-year-old mid-Norfolk school girl Ailish Reeson is celebrating after scooping first place in the Norfolk U13 girls' squash championship for the second year in a row.

Eleven-year-old mid-Norfolk school girl Ailish Reeson is celebrating after scooping first place in the Norfolk U13 girls' squash championship for the second year in a row.

Ailish, from Mattishall, won the championship held at the East Anglia Squash and Tennis Club after winning three games to love in the exciting final round.

She said: 'I just couldn't believe that I had won. I am very excited and proud.

'I really love this sport and I'm going to keep practising hard to improve further,' she added.

Ailish, who is a student at Neatherd High School in Dereham, has been playing since she was six years old and has regular training sessions at Barnham Broom Hotel under the expert guidance of Craig Aldred, the hotel's resident squash professional.

He said: 'I've been teaching Ailish for five years and am incredibly proud of her. In previous years she has won both the U11 and U13 Norfolk competitions and if she continues to work hard and develop her natural ability, Ailish will go a long way.'

Barnham Broom hotel boasts three squash courts and professional instruction from Aldred who holds the England Squash Level 4 Elite: the highest ranking possible. Ailish is not the first squash star the hotel has developed; national and world-class players such as Cassie Jackman were also coached there.

The four-star Barnham Broom Hotel is also home to a junior golf academy and recently received the Golf Mark award as recognition of their dedication to nurturing young sporting talent.