Hard-hitting badminton star Alan Smith from Huby near York had every reason to celebrate his 15th birthday last Saturday after a flurry of recent tournament victories.

Smith, who attends Easingwold School, enjoyed his most recent triumph earlier this month in the alternative doubles Under 15 category of the English Schools Badminton Association (ESBA) tournament in Kirkham, Lancashire.

The six foot tall teenage sensation also powered to victory in the International Plate Doubles tournament in Holland during the festive period, returning to North Yorkshire with the spoils having seen off opponents from the USA, Ukraine and Denmark.

Such stunning achievements have helped the Huby hitter become a permanent fixture in the Yorkshire U15 representative squad over the last two years.

The Smith family have a particularly strong attachment to badminton with Alan's 12-year-old sister, Rachel, also representing the County at U13 level.

Tina Smith, mother of the promising youngsters, admitted the family's schedule was "hectic" with her children training three times a week and competing in tournaments at weekends.

"For example, Alan competed in Lancashire on Saturday then Leicestershire on Sunday, whereas Rachel played in Cheshire on the Saturday and represented Yorkshire in Leeds the following day," she said.

The pair have played badminton since primary school and their current training schedule includes a weekly coaching session from England player Stephen Foster in Leeds.

They are already looking forward to the ESBA Standard Challenge tournament held at Doncaster in March.

Updated: 12:48 Wednesday, January 30, 2002