Young skier William Thompson in full flow

Maidstone schoolboy William Thompson has an exciting skiing trip to Scandinavia to look forward to in the new year.

The 15-year-old Sutton Valence School pupil has been included in a 20-strong English Schools National squad who will be going to a slalom and giant slalom training camp in Geilo in Norway.

William earned his place by impressing in the English Schools Ski Association national championships at Bromley in September, and he was also was the winner of his age group in this year’s London and South East Regional Ski Association summer league.

He lives at Weavering Street in Maidstone, and his mother, Katherine, said: "William started skiing when we went on holiday five years ago and he then started going to dry ski slopes here.

"He also likes swimming, and prefers individual sports to team games. He loves skiing and would like to make a career out of it as an instructor when he is older."