LOWESTOFT and Oulton Broad Swimming Club member Jessica-Jane Applegate has been selected for the East of England squad to compete in the 2010 Sainsbury's UK School Games.

LOWESTOFT and Oulton Broad Swimming Club member Jessica-Jane Applegate has been selected for the East of England squad to compete in the 2010 Sainsbury's UK School Games.

Applegate, 14, will compete against the UK's school-aged elite in the swimming events being held at the Sunderland Aquatic Centre, from September 2-5.

'It is great that I have been selected to represent the area I am from for this year's Sainsbury's UK School Games in September,' said the Oriel High School student.

'It is the first time I have been chosen and although I am quite nervous, I am also very excited.'

GB athlete and Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington has a wealth of experience from global multisport events including the Beijing Olympics 2008 and she recognises the fantastic opportunity for young athletes to get a taste of elite competition and everything that comes along with it.

Rebecca said: 'Congratulations to Jessica on being selected to represent England East, swimming in the Sainsbury's UK School Games. It is a fantastic achievement and something which Jessica should feel extremely proud of. I was invited to open the event in 2008 and got the chance to see first-hand the excitement and anticipation of the young athletes for the whole experience.

The 2010 Sainsbury's UK School Games is the pinnacle sports event for young people competing in the UK and will see 1,600 elite school-aged athletes descend on the North East to participate in four days (September 2-5) of exciting competition across 10 sports.

To find out more about the games or sign up for the Sainsbury's UK School Games volunteer programme visit www.ukschoolgames.com