Rachel Wilmott has been called up at the age of 12 for the England team taking part in the European Under-15 Championships at Malmo, Sweden, next month.

The Horsham club ace's selection means she has beaten the record of her heroine Linda Charman-Smith, the senior world No.4 from Hailsham. Charman-Smith was 13 when she was chosen for the event.

The national under-13s champion, who shares Charman-Smith's coach Mike Harris, said: "It has been a big ambition of mine to be chosen to represent England at a younger age than Linda. I'm delighted.

"She is certainly role model for me. One day maybe I can be as successful as her."

The Farlington pupil believes she will respond positively to playing opponents up to three years her senior in Scandinavia.

She said: "I've played under-15s squash this season at a good level and being a national champion has given me confidence."

She was a part of the Sussex under-15s side which claimed the national inter-counties title. Rachel would have been joined by Jenna Gates, who is also coached by Harris, in Sweden but the national under-15s champion is now over 15.

l Sussex lifted three of the five age group titles in the London and South East Regional Inter-County junior championships at Epsom College.

The under-13s, under-17s and under-19s were champions, while the under-11s and under-15s finished runners-up.