A YOUNG chess champion is celebrating after winning a national Silver Plate competition.

Ten-year-old Bethany Austin, from Hambridge Primary School, near Langport, jointly won the 12 and under cup after travelling to Esher, Surrey to take on the competition.

She qualified as the youngest for the Silver Plate after winning a qualifier at Millfield, the under 10s supremer at a mega final, and then getting enough points at a giga final in Reading.

Bethany, who already wants to take part again next year, said: "I was really excited, I didn't think I would do so well. I thought I was going to do ok, but not that well."

Iain Crabtree, head teacher at Hambridge school and Bethany's chess teacher for two years, added: "She is an absolute supreme example of hard work getting you somewhere.

"She has been coming to our chess club for about three years. She reads chess books and thinks about it and really wants to make herself better.

"She has undeniably a growth mindset. She knows that with hard work she can do anything."

Quinny Larence, who has joined the school last year to help to teach the children further, said: "She has had a great year and she is a good kid. I think it is fantastic. She has had some great results.

"I always thought she could do that well. She has got a very good sense of playing chess, especially for someone so young. She is a very good player."

However, Bethany doesn't want to go into a career as chess champion. Even at the age of ten she already has her mind set on another job.

"For a long long time she has wanted to be a teacher," proud mum Karen Austin said.

"Since she was 5 she has wanted to do it."

For more information on Hambridge Primary School, visit www.hambridgeprimaryschool.co.uk.