A schoolboy has beaten top competition from across London to be crowned table tennis champion.

Rayan Ansari, 12, from Leyton won six matches along the way to winning the Ellenborough U14 junior singles title.

The Norlington School student says he was inspired by his sports teacher Mary McPortland, a Table Tennis England coach.

Rayan, who trains twice a week at the school and Leyton Table Tennis club, said: “I played a lot when I was very young but gave it up.

“When I joined Norlington School I saw Ms McPortland play and saw how good she was, I knew I had to start playing again.

“Winning the tournament was just an amazing feeling. The players I had to beat were a very good standard so to be able to win was great.”

Rayan hopes to test his skills against London’s finest at the London Youth Games in June.

He added: “I think I can win it, I think I am good enough. At this school they say to you, always think you are the best but never say it out loud. Be a leader, a winner but a gentleman.”

Norlington PE teacher Ms McPortland said: “Rayan has taken his skills to a new level, through hard work and dedication.

“It’s really important to work hard on the correct skills and attitude. It’s not just practice that makes perfect its perfect practice that makes perfect.”