YET another young member of the Catterick Cobras water polo team has been invited to train with the junior Great Britain squad.

Thirteen-year-old Lyndsey Johnson from Aiskew, near Bedale, will travel to Manchester for four days of training with the squad for players born in 1987 and younger.

The surprise call-up came after Lyndsey had played in the senior national league for the Harrogate and Ripon Shortwalkers at Walsall, where she scored two goals.

She started her swimming career with the Bedale Sharks and now competes regularly with the Catterick Cobras, where Peter Clayton has been nurturing her considerably.

At Bedale High School she is known as a talented all-round athlete and represents the school and Hambleton district at hockey, netball and cross-country running.

She also competes at a high standard in gymnastics and trampolining.

Her inclusion in the Great Britain youth squad has delighted the coaching staff at Catterick and Harrogate.

Chief coach Harry Hanson said: "Lyndsey's elevation to the GB squad means that the national league side will have four GB youth squad members on the substitutes bench at the start of each game. They are Fran Clayton, Jennifer Myo, Alison Mell and Lyndsey."

Alison Mell, who plays with Durham, has also been invited to Manchester this weekend.

Mr Hanson added: "This is only our third season in the national league and we now have seven GB junior or youth international squad members in the team.

"The team is currently joint top of the league after the first competitive tournament."

Water polo teams consist of 13 players, with seven in the water at any one time. The Catterick Cobras train on Friday evenings at 5pm.