SHE may never take her eyes off the ball, but at just 12-years-old Chloe Whyte is looking ahead to when she is 18 and the Olympics come to London.

Chloe, a student at The King's Academy in Coulby Newham, got her first England call-up in March when she was selected for the Under-13s girls' table tennis squad which won silver at the Four Nations competition.

She has just returned from the English Schools competition with an individual bronze medal and is now looking ahead to the North of England under-18 schools games later this summer.

Chloe, who lives in Hemlington and is a member of Ormesby Table Tennis Club, said: "I started playing when I was eight. My dad, Sandy, was in the England top 15 so I picked it up from him. It's a fun game to play.

"My coach, Carol Moore, used to play for England as well. She has taught me a lot about getting the basics right before moving up to do big loops, backhands and serves."

Chloe trains at Ormesby four times a week for at least two hours a session. She has also attended training camps at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire.

Chloe added: "Paul Drinkall goes to our club and he has played all over the world. I hope that when I'm older I'm picked to play for England, especially at the Olympics."

Chris Drew, Principal at The King's Academy, said: "Chloe is one of our sporting stars and to be selected to represent her country aged just 12 is a fantastic achievement. She trains hard and clearly is talented so she fully deserves this success."