THORNLEIGH sixth-former Bethany Farnworth has been picked to represent England in the British Schools Table Tennis Association's Home Nation's tournament in Ireland next month.

The 18-year-old, from Tonge Fold, has been rewarded after some stunning recent performances in national competitions.

Earlier this month, Bethany, who is ranked ninth in the country at under-18s, upset the odds to win bronze at the Junior National Championships.

She then went on to win the band two title and finish runner-up in the band one event at the Blackpool Grand Prix, one of eight national grand prix tournaments held during the season.

"We are all so proud of her," said mum Joanne Farnworth.

"She has worked so hard over the years and it is just nice to see her reap the rewards of all that training."

Bethany won a silver medal as part of the North West team in last year's Sainsbury's School Games in Manchester.

She has steadily risen up the rankings since then and this year broke into the top 16 in the country in her age group to qualify for the Junior National Championships in Huddersfield.

The Bolton League player, who competes for Little Lever, is also 10th in the country at under-21 level and in the top 30 for the seniors.

Those rankings look set to rise after beating a number of players above her in the national standings.

Bethany knocked third seed Denise Payet out of the group stages of the junior nationals, then overcame fourth seed Kate Cheer 4-3 in the last eight, winning a titanic tussle 11-3, 9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-8.

She eventually lost in the semi-finals, but carried on her form a couple of weeks later in Blackpool, where she won the prize for player of the weekend after again beating a number of higher ranked players in the tournament.

"She was not at all confident about making any progress at the nationals," admitted Joanne.

"When I wished her luck as she left for Huddersfield she replied 'don't worry mum, I won't get out of my group'.

"The third and fifth seeds were in her group so it was quite a surprise when she got through.

"To beat girls who are ranked third and fourth in the country, they were both excellent wins and I am so pleased for her as she can be her harshest critic.

"Then to be picked to represent England for the first time, it is an amazing achievement."

Bethany has been playing table tennis since she was nine after tagging along with her mum to a night organised by former St Catherine's Academy teacher Ben Dudley.

"Ben, who I worked with, started up a table tennis club. I went along and she came with me," added Joanne.

"From the moment Bethany picked up a bat it was clear she had a talent for it and she has just progressed from there."

Table tennis will be put on the backburner over the next few weeks as Bethany prepares to sit her A Level exams.

She hopes to go on to study sports science at Birmingham University, but not before representing the England team at the British Schools Table Tennis Association tournament, which will be held in Limerick between June 24-26.