A 15-year-old girl from South Croydon is celebrating after reaching the final of a major tennis competition involving schools and clubs throughout the country.

Louise Millard from Ridge Way won £75 for finishing as the runner up in the Nestle Tennis Ladder England, 16 and under, final.

The Croham Hurst schoolgirl also won a salver, a Nestle tennis bag, and clothing to wear to the Esporta club in Croydon.

Organised by the British Tennis Foundation, it has been estimated that approximately 16,000 players originally entered the championships before Louise and the other finalists reached the knockout stages.

"It was just brilliant to win," she said. "I never expected to do that well in the competition."

The teenager said that her favourite player is Tim Henman and that she plays her tennis at the Reedham Park Tennis Club.

Ian Jolle is the Nestle executive in charge of the championships. He said: "As a company headquartered in Croydon, we are particularly delighted at how well Louise played."

Previous winners in junior tennis include Jeremy Bates and Sue Barker.

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