SURF girl Jorji Watson is riding on the crest of a wave after competing in the recent British Open Championships.

The outgoing nine-year-old made the most of her chance of glory when the championships were staged in familiar waters, at Tynemouth's Longsands, off the North-East coast.

While her older, more experienced teenage brother and sister, Lee and Alex, chose not to compete, Jorji bravely put her name down for the junior girls' event.

She ended up taking part in the senior women's category, against the country's best female surfers.

Jorji completed the event to the applause of spectators and fellow competitors, finishing fourth from four competitors.

Her father, Jeff, said it left her surfing siblings envious of their younger sister.

He said: "She was up against the best in the country and she came fourth, so it is quite an achievement for a nine-year-old.

"They are all keen, although Alex is probably the best surfer of the three, but she would not take part.

"Jorji is the cheekiest and really outgoing, and it paid off, so she is really pleased with herself."

Mr Watson, a keen snowboarder, took up surfing three years ago, and the rest of the family, including his wife, Sandie, decided to join him.

They regularly travel from their home in Blackhill, Consett, County Durham, to Tynemouth to surf.

The rest of the family are also becoming keen snowboarders, and take part while on holidays in France and Austria.