A SPORTY 12-year-old girl has been named North-East Student of the Year by Sky Sports.

Emma Cassell, of Manor Technology College, Hartlepool, joined 11 other regional finalists from all over the UK at a ceremony held at Wembley Stadium, where former sprinter Darren Campbell, who has gold and silver Olympic medals, presented her with an award.

A spokesman for Sky Sports said Emma stood out as a winner because her story clearly demonstrated how motivating sport can be to young people and how it can lead to increased attainment in other areas of life.

She was one of the college's Gifted and Talented sports programme students selected to participate in a Sky Sports project that encouraged sporty children to try a sport other than the one they normally took part in.

Emma was already a keen swimmer when Commonwealth Games swimmer Chris Cook came to talk about his achievements.

She was inspired to continue swimming but also to take up a new sport, long distance running, and it soon became clear she was also a natural runner.

She was entered into the Great Britain Biathlon Schools championships where students compete in two disciplines - swimming and running.

Entered in the Under-14 category, Emma beat many older students to come second. She has since been ranked the World Schools Biathlon Under-12s champion.

College PE teacher Susan Wilson said: "This project has really brought the best out in Emma.

"Although she was already incredibly talented, the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative has shown her the importance of hard work and dedication, and has motivated her to continue to train and develop her skills as well as exploring her talent for other sports."