ARNOLD School pupil, 13-year-old James Thornton of Chatsworth Road, St Annes, has been drafted into the Great Britain U17 Cadet Epee fencing team for the first international competition of 2000 in Pisa, Italy.

James' call-up comes on the back of having won the prestigious Leon Paul national series of U13 Epee competitions which have been held throughout the country during 1999.

James clinched the series with wins at Northampton, Haverstock and Whitgift School and a second place at Brentwood.

James also retained his North West U14 Epee title this year and heads the U13 national rankings.

James, who is coached at Arnold by his mum Mavis and Hungarian Olympic silver medallist Robert Kiss, also attends the North West Centre of Excellence.

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