Banbury's Caroline Campion has achieved a rare feat in the world of international bowls.

She has been selected to play for England and goes straight into the side as a skip - an honour earned by only a handful of players in the sport's history.

Campion, a member of Banbury Central, plays her first match for England in a warm-up game against Kent at Canterbury on Saturday, June 4.

She will then be taking on Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey in an international series from June 18-20.

She said: "I played for Oxfordshire in the national triples finals at Leamington last August. The England selectors were there and they asked me to play in a trial which took place earlier this month.

"Bowlers from across the county took part and the majority of the others were past or present internationals.

"It was my first trial and I didn't expect to be chosen, but I had a dream game and received a letter last Wednesday saying I had been selected.

"Not only that, but I have gone straight in as a skip which is practically unheard of. It is very rare for an unknown to get that distinction. Only very few players have done it before."

Campion has represented Oxfordshire for 12 years and is Banbury Central's ladies' singles champion.