For Matthew Fitton and Sophie Mason, both aged 15, have been chosen to represent Great Britain in a contest this weekend.

They will don their protective clothing and compete against hundreds of other youngsters from around the world in Cabries, France.

Both youngsters were chosen for the under 17s cadet foil teams after being ranked among the top 16 fencers in the country for their age group.

Matthew and Sophie train three times each week with Salle Kiss Fencing Club, which holds sessions at Greenhill Primary School and Broad Oak High School.

They are coached by fencer Robert Kiss, who represented Hungary in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

They regularly take part in fencing competitions across the country and recently returned from their first contest with the Great Britain team in Germany.

Matthew, of Oakham Close, started fencing when he was eight years old and hopes to one day compete in the world championships or the Olympics.

The Woodhey High School pupil finished 92nd out of 367 boys at the competition in Germany and was previously the national champion in the under 13s Leon Paul Junior Series.

His proud mum, Janet Fitton, said: “It was a real honour for Matthew to be chosen by the team. He puts in a lot of effort, with training three times a week and competitions all over the country and abroad. He’s very dedicated and works really hard. I’m very proud of him.”

Tottington High School pupil Sophie has been fencing for six years and is ranked among the top ten fencers nationally for her age group.

Her dad, Andy Mason, of Ramsey Grove, said: “I am very proud of Sophie. All the hard work that she has put in has led to her being chosen for the Great Britain team.

“It is the ultimate accolade. She is really looking forward to going to France — it will be a great experience.”