12-year-old Kirsten Read from Heathfield has been called up by England.

She will join the national squad at Milton Keynes this weekend for the first of two training sessions in preparation for her international debut next month.

The Heathfield Community College pupil is lined up to compete in the Hoensbroek International in Holland on December 30.

She said: "I am very excited. It is quite a big thing for me.

"But I have got to do as well as I can in the two weekend get-togethers to make sure I am chosen for the team.

"It will be hard because there will be three sessions over the weekend of two-and-a-half hours each to help my play and my fitness. I am looking forward to it all."

Her selection means Kirsten is now part of the Badminton Association of England's World Class Start scheme for nine to 15 year-olds launched in the wake of the Sydney Olympic medal success of Bognor's Jo Goode.

It is a programme, funded by a £2.3m lottery grant, designed to provide a path to future Games, European Championships and World Championships for prospects like Kirsten.

She said: "Being picked makes me feel like it it is my first step towards maybe one day going to the Olympics like Jo. I know it is only a dream, but I can see there is a link and the fact Jo is from Sussex like me makes me want to try extra hard."

As part of the programme, the Sussex No.1 must keep a diary on her diet, fitness and well-being.

She said: "I have to write my diary every day and I will make sure I do. I know you need lots of commitment to do really well.

"There are a lot of things I have to log like my social life and how long my homework takes me, but it is my diet, on-court development, suppleness, fitness and how I am feeling which are the most important factors."

Kirsten likes her sweets and crisps like most 12-year olds, but she ensures fruit, pasta and chicken are an integral part of what she eats.

Her technique is honed through coaching sessions with Bruce Peapell at her Waldron club and Sussex's Tony Browne, at Portslade, where she also trains with the county under-15s.

Kirsten is in fine form. She won the singles and doubles at the English Schools Badminton Association event at Harrow, Middlesex, in her opening tournament this season.

Kirsten defeated Hannah Littlecote (Hampshire) 21-17 in the premier singles final and teamed up with Hannah to overcome Lucy Milne (Yorkshire) and Krissy Koslicki (Nottinghamshire) 21-3 in the doubles final.

"I was pleased to make a good start," she said.

She started winning club honours with Waldron when she was eight, competing in Hastings, Bexhill and Portslade and has represented Eastbourne in the Chailey League for two years.

She scored success at three ESBA tournaments 12 months ago. Kirsten triumphed in the singles and doubles at the Berkshire Open. In the Wessex Open, she was runner-up in singles and won the doubles, again with Becky.

The Rising Stars Under-12 event at Kettering saw her triumph in the singles and finish second in the doubles with the same partner.

Meanwhile, Kirsten guided Sussex to a bronze medal in the Inter Counties Championships.

She represents her school at hockey, athletics and netball, loves ballet, tap dancing and playing the violin. Kirsten has also appeared in pantomimes as a dancer at the Hawth Theatre, Crawley.

But badminton is her No.1 interest. It has been since she followed her brother Chris into the sport six years ago.

"Who knows, Kirsten might become the new Jo Goode in time," said Badminton Association of England spokesman William Kings.

"The programme she is on is something we have been wanting to do for a long time but haven't had the money to do. Now the likes of Kirsten have a clear path."

Fave raves: Sports personality: Sally Gunnell. Other sports: Hockey and netball. Film: Notting Hill. Fashion: Casual. Interests: ballet, tap and modern dancing. Sporting Highlight: Selection for England