ELEVEN-year-old Katie Lightowler has been taking the table tennis world by storm.

Katie, from Glusburn, took part in the Blackpool Junior Open tournament and reached two Under-14 finals, even though she was competing against older girls. In each final she was narrowly beaten by Lancashire player Claire Howard.

Katie trains with members of the Bradford Table Tennis Development Scheme at Oakbank Sports College.

Beginners coaching sessions are to be held at Oakbank from January 11 with places available for youngsters from six-years-old. Parents are also welcome to join the team of helpers.

An inter-schools league is also being launched and any schools interested in taking part should contact Mark Gannon at Oakbank on 01535-210111.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.