Bedale High School pupil Lindsey Johnson has been selected to represent the Great Britain water polo squad for the European Championships in Portugal and the Five Nations Tournament in Prague.

The 15-year-old (pictured left) lives in Aiskew with her parents and elder brother, Craig.

The school's PE teacher Victoria Thompson said: "Lindsey is a very talented girl and has represented the school and Hambleton and Richmondshire area at cross-country, athletics, hockey and netball, where she captained the team.

"She has been a member of the victorious school gymnastics squad which won the area competition and was the area gymnastics vault champion last year.

"She plays basketball for the school as well as badminton, tennis, swimming and trampolining. She is an excellent javelin thrower and was ranked number 25 in the country in 2004.

"She is an inspiration to all pupils in the school, but, above all, she is modest and well-liked and represents the school with great distinction."

Lindsey runs, jumps and throws for the Richmond and Zetland Harriers and used to swim for the Bedale Sharks under club coach Dave Holme. She is also a former member of the Hambleton Gliders Trampoline Club.

But her main sporting achievements have been in the water. She is a member of the Catterick Cobras water polo team and also plays for Harrogate and Ripon Shortwalkers, Harrogate Hydro and now Great Britain Juniors.

Following recent trials, Lindsey is the youngest member of the under-18 Great Britain team.

She said: "As a minority sport, water polo is self-financed. All of my costs are met by my parents, who have supported me fully throughout my short water polo career.

"However, the Harrogate and Ripon Shortwalkers, the Great Britain team and myself are actively looking for sponsorship to assist with the costs of playing this sport. Anyone who is interested in supporting these worthwhile causes should contact Bedale High School on 01677 422419.

"My dream is to play well for Great Britain and to have a long career in this sport and to ultimately represent my country in the Olympic Games, which could be in London in 2012."