TEENAGER Frances Fletcher, of Park Road Central, Chester-le-Street, is the golden girl of rowing after her debut success as a Great Britain international.
The 16-year-old returned home from Italy with gold and silver medals after leading a GB junior 18 foursome to first and second places at the Coupe de la Jeunesse event in Ravenna against teams from the Netherlands, Hungary, France, Italy and Switzerland.
Frances, a pupil of Park View Community School, Chester-le-Street, stroked the GB junior quad sculls to second spot in their first race when they were beaten to the line by Switzerland.
The youngsters raised their game for their second race and stormed to victory.
Frances' fellow crew members were Helen Ralston, of Reading, and Jacqui Round and Katie Knowles of St Neots.
A member of the Tyne Rowing Club, Frances has been training with the Durham University squad and is coached by Emma Hall Craggs, the Durham University ladies coach.
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