Chelsea Furnival has become the first Sussex junior to win a national title.

And Chelsea, nine, was so proud of her achievement that she refused to let go of the trophy.

Unseeded Chelsea, from St Leonards, lifted the English Association under-tens crown when she defeated top seed Lucy Davidson (Derbyshire) 11-5 11-3 11-4 in the final at Kings Lynn.

Earlier, she beat second seed Vicky Smith (Devon) 11-5 13-11 11-8.

Her mother, Lyn, said: "She walked around with the trophy all day.

"We got back about midnight and persuaded her to leave it in the lounge. But I saw her go back into the room to say 'goodnight trophy' before she went to bed.

"It means so much to her. She can look at the trophy in years to come, see her name engraved on it and know she has created history.

"She is an outgoing character and enjoyed all the fuss.

"But she got a little embarrassed when I suggested she should take the trophy into school (Hollington Primary). She got coy and wouldn't let me. But I bumped into a classroom assistant who took it in."

Chelsea's attacking style won the day.

Lyn said: 'She has been working hard on her table tennis.

"Chelsea is small but she has a powerful game.

"Playing in the Hastings Senior League has helped.

"She comes up against opponents who sometimes see this little nine-year-old and treat her lightly.

She usually makes them pay."

Her dad, Andy, has been coaching her for the past two years and the title is a great reward.

Lyn said: "Chelsea was named after the football club the family support. She reminds me a little of Dennis Wise because she has a bubbly spirit. That was reflected in her performance in the nationals. She is so competitive and didn't let up."

Chelsea was inspired by sister Stacey, 14, the Sussex under-15s champion.

Lyn said: "She started getting interested in table tennis by going to watch Stacey play.

"Stacey is so proud of her little sister. "

Chelsea, a member at Hollington club, also reached the last 16 of the under-13s tournament, before going out to top seed Katie Rule (Buckinghamshire).

International Sarah Russo (Heathfield) reached the under-11s' final where she was defeated 11-9 12-10 11-8 by Martha Travis (Cornwall).

In the semi-finals, Russo overcame Karina Leferve (Cleveland) 6-11 11-9 11-9 2-11 11-5.

Yolande King, also Hollington, was a semi-finalist at under-tens, losing 11-6 12-10 11-7 to Lucy Davidson.

She made the last four of the under-12s before being beaten 11-2 11-7 11-3 by Rule, who was runner-up.