A JUNIOR tennis player from Swindon has been highlighted as one of the brightest talents in the country.

Niamh Townsend, 13, has recently been included on the Lawn Tennis Association’s Aegon FutureStars programme, which recognises and supports some of the brightest youngsters across the United Kingdom.

Townsend has earned her place on the programme following a successful year on court and will now receive added support from the LTA. She is one of 424 top juniors who have been selected.

Leon Smith, the LTA’s head of men’s tennis, said of the programme: “We are committed to supporting and identifying our most talented players, and the Aegon FutureStars programme is central to this process for young players who are starting out in the game.

“There’s obviously a long way to go for these players. It’s a long journey for any player hoping to make an impact on the game but we hope that with the right support, these players are given the best possible chance of reaching their full potential.”