LAURA McDonald, from Wymondham, produced a strong series of javelin throws to land a silver medal at the weekend.She not only represented Norfolk Schools last weekend, but also competed for England in the Home Counties International Championships at Scotstoun stadium in Glasgow.

LAURA McDonald, from Wymondham, produced a strong series of javelin throws to land a silver medal at the weekend.

She not only represented Norfolk Schools last weekend, but also competed for England in the Home Counties International Championships at Scotstoun stadium in Glasgow.

Laura was selected for the England squad following success at the English Schools championships the previous weekend.

Laura, a Wymondham High School pupil, who was making her first appearance at an international competition, threw the javelin from the exposed northern end of the stadium.

Hampered by strong winds and bitterly cold temperatures that made keeping warm between throws virtually impossible, Laura still managed a strong series of throws to ensure that 42.16m would ensure she would receive the silver medal.

In addition, this young athlete is delighted to hear that she has also been selected to compete in the UK School Games being held in Gateshead in September. The Sainsbury's UK School Games is a multi-sport event for the UK's elite athletes of school age.

The 2010 competition will include teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales taking part in their respective sports including road cycling, athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, hockey, judo, swimming, table tennis and volleyball. There is also an integrated programme of disability events (physical and learning disabilities) in athletics, swimming and table tennis bringing the total number of athletes competing in this championship to around 1,600.

Each of the ten sports is combined into a four-day games environment designed to replicate the feel of major event such as the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games.