Epping heptathlete Naomi Harryman has climbed to number one in the UK rankings after winning a regional competition in Corby whilst representing Essex schools.

The 16-year-old triumphed with 4,924 points, enough to see her jump into first place and put her sixth on the all-time top-scorers list, ahead of names such as Denise Lewis and Kelly Sotherton.

Reflecting on her win, Harryman said: “I am so pleased with my score especially as I beat Denise Lewis when she was my age. I train hard and hope to represent Team GB soon.”

Competing against other Under-17s from Essex, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Lincolnshire, Harryman recorded three personal bests and a club record over the weekend.

Harryman, who trains at Harlow Athletics Club six times a week will hope to win the English Schools Heptathlon Championships in September.

The teenager has also come second in the England Indoor Pentathlon Championships this year and is Essex champion in the long jump, high jump, hurdles and heptathlon.

She is also England Indoor Pentathlon Champion and Eastern Counties long jump and triple jump champion.