A COUNTY Durham student has returned from Europe laden with trophies after taking part in several skiing championships.

Emily Sarsfield, 19, returned to her home in Brancepeth, near Durham, after spending several months in Europe, taking part in competitions.

Emily, who is studying for a degree in sports studies at Loughborough University, became the English champion in a tournament held in France this month, and won medals in the British Championships in Austria in March. Because Emily has joined the Officer Training Corps at university, she was also eligible to enter the British Army Championships, and was crowned overall champion. The contest took place in France in January.

She returned to Brancepeth last week with her trophies, medals, tankards and other awards.

She was due to return to university at the weekend, where her sister, 21-year-old Victoria, is also studying for a sports degree.

Victoria is also a champion skier and together they make up half of the British Universities skiing team.

Their father, Ernie Sarsfield, said: "The silverware Emily has won is just unbelievable. She has been successful in the past at skiing, but this is something else. She had to buy another bag to bring them back.

"Her sister skies as well. There is a big rivalry between them.

"Victoria missed two of the championships because she came home to study for her finals.

"If her sister had been there it could have been the other way round.

"Before, one of them has come first and the other second."