BRIDGWATER tennis starlet Jordan Clayton won the biggest tournament of his fledgling career when he claimed his first ever junior Grand Prix title in Bristol.

The Somerset champion and county number one picked up the 12-and-under trophy after a gruelling week-long event at Bristol Lawn Tennis and Squash Club.

Jordan, a member at Bridgwater and Taunton tennis clubs, travelled up each day to overcome a number of higher ranked players before beating one of the tournament favourites 6-2, 6-3 in the final.

His father, Peter, told the Mercury: "He beat some very good players on the way.

"In the final the boy was a lot bigger and stronger than Jordan but he went out and played a fantastic match."

He added: "He went to Cheltenham for a Grand Prix event three weeks previously and lost in the final, and the experience of playing in a big final put him in good stead."

The victory qualified him for the national Grand Prix finals later in the summer.

Jordan, 12, who attends King's Hall school in Taunton, is ranked in the top 20 in the country and is a member of the South West Tennis Academy. His next big event is the Exeter Open in July, where he has previously won the ten-and-under title.

Jordan currently has to travel to Burnham to have practice sessions with his personal coach but is hoping to find a court closer to home in Bridgwater.

Anyone who can help is asked to call the Mercury on 01278-727963 or e-mail sport@bridgwatermercury.co.uk