AN 11-year old boy from Bridgwater competed against over 300 players representing 50 countries at a table tennis championships final in Doncaster last Saturday.

Will Stokes, who goes to Enmore School, qualified for the Butterfly Schools' Individual Table Tennis Championships after winning the Somerset round for the Under 11s age group held at Taunton Academy earlier in the year.

Will said “I only started playing Table Tennis 3 years ago when I was given the opportunity to play during lunchtime at school.

“Enmore School is fortunate enough to have Mr Coles and Mr Bovett who have coached me and others at Enmore to a level whereby I am able to represent my county”.

Will was representing Somerset at The Dome in Doncaster, where unfortunately he came across some very tough competitors early in the competition.

Paul Stokes, Will's father, said: “Will, who is 11 years old, played very well during the qualifying rounds, but unfortunately he was up against some really stern opposition - players ranked two and three in England - and was unable to progress to the quarter finals.

“However, it was a great experience for him, and he took a lot away from the day, that will help him better his game.”