A PONTELAND teenager will take to the hallowed turf at Wimbledon next week.

Keen tennis player Emily Allison (13), a pupil at Ponteland Middle School until last month, has earned her place in the grand final of the national HSBC Road to Wimbledon competition.

Competing in the 11 to 14 year old category, she booked her place at the All England Club for the event which starts on Monday and runs through to next Saturday.

Emily, who will start at Newcastle's Royal Grammar School in September, has played tennis since the age of seven, and regularly trains at David Lloyd in Sunderland, as well as the Northumberland Club.

She played two matches in both the club and county events, successfully seeing off all competition.

Her father Steve said: "Emily played some good matches against her friends who she knows from training.

"She is very excited to play at Wimbledon and is looking forward to making the most of the experience, regardless of the results."

All finalists will receive a special Wimbledon souvenir, an invitation to the players' party, a Wimbledon Museum voucher, a tour of the grounds and an allowance for accommodation and meals.

During the competition, there will be more than 350 matches players through the round robin, then knock out, nature of the draw, in addition to doubles competitions.