KENT yatchswoman Chloe Martin has won the prestigious Young Sailor of the Year in the RYA South East Region.

The 17-year-old from Tonbridge received her award from sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston at the Collins Stewart London Boat Show on Saturday.

This is one of 12 regional awards which recognise the outstanding achievements of youth sailors across the country.

Martin is a member of Bough Beech Sailing Club and is also one of the RYA Laser Radial National Youth Squad.

Last April she became first girl and second overall in her Laser Radial at the RYA Volvo National Youth Championships sailed at Hayling Island.

This qualified her to join the British team to represent Great Britain at the ISAF World Youth Championships in Canada during the summer where she came ninth overall.

Following this, she secured eighth overall and 5th European in the Laser Radial World Championships that were held in Holland, winning one of the races. She was also first youth girl in the British Laser Radial Championships.