A 12-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has been crowned a national squash champion.

Phoebe Hamilton, of Haddington, was among those taking part in the Scottish Squash National age group finals in Edinburgh.

The youngster, playing in the under-13 age group, won all of her matches 3-0 to become the national under-13 champion.

Hamilton, who plays for Tyne Squash Club in Haddington, who had previously won the gold events in Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh, was in a class of her own over the whole season.

The squash club had eight juniors in the national championships and all gained valuable experience, with Hamilton become the club’s first ever female age group champion.

It is the first time since 1992 that Tyne Squash Club has had an age group champion.

Thirteen-year-old Neil Mackinnon won the under-14 title and, the following year, lifted the under-16 crown.

It is a feat only previously achieved by Peter Nicol, who went on to be the world champion for many years.