Two Sussex players have been selected to represent England in the World Under-19s Championships.

Suzie Pierrepont, 18, will compete in team and individual events in Cairo next month.

Rachel Willmott, 15, will play in the individual competition.

Coach Mike Harris said: "I'm proud of them both. They deserve it."

Pierrepont, from Brighton, is enjoying a superb season. She skippered England to the European title and won the individual crown three months ago.

Harris said: "It has been a big breakthrough year for Suzie.

"She has always had the ability, ever since I started coaching her at 14. She won the British under-12s title but couldn't repeat that success in higher age groups.

"A lot of it is down to belief and now she believes in herself."

Harris says the turning point came after a bruising encounter with Egyptian player Amna Tarabolsi at the British Open.

He said: "Suzie was getting shoved around. The girl she played was very physical.

"She has learned from it and now refuses to be brushed aside. Suzie destroys opponents."

Pierrepont, a student at Varndean College, will take a gap year so she can play squash full time.

Harris said: "She is going to give it a go for at least a year and then see if she wants to go to university.

"I'm convinced she can become a world top five player."

Willmott, from Horsham, has broken through this year and won British titles at under-17s and under-15s.

Harris said: "Rachel is such a talent. She only just missed out on making the England team for Cairo and that is quite something for someone so young."

Harris says he has made a technical switch to improve her game.

"I've changed her forward swing and it is now an awesome shot. Her fitness and movement are getting better and she has a similar attitude to Suzie. She is convinced she can beat any opponent no matter what the position of the match is."