CHELMSFORD schoolgirl Sofia De Martin has been named the number one fencer in the East of England.

Sofia, 16, who goes to New Hall School, has had a spectacular start to the year. In March, she entered the Public Schools Fencing Championship, held at Crystal Palace, which featured more than 1,400 competitors.

She won all four of her first round matches and three out of four second round poules before defeating Alix Turley in the first eliminator. She then lost to Constanza Peretti.

In the Eastern Region Youth Championships, held just before Easter in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, Sofia won four of her six first round fights. She then won all her eliminator fights, including the final, meaning she is now ranked first in the Eastern Region.

Sofia qualifies to represent the Eastern Region at the National Youth Championships in Sheffield on Monday.