Morpeth Table Tennis Club member Luke Westgate bagged top honours in the Jack Petchey Youth Club Table Tennis Festival.

Westgate, 13, won the event, run by London Youth in partnership with Table Tennis England and the Jack Petchey Foundation, at his home club in Tower Hamlets.

He won the mixed under-14s event after progressing through a round robin. In the final he had to hold his nerve to beat team mate Nico O’Rourke, 12, by a 2-1 margin.

The event attracted 52 boys and girls from youth organisations across London to play at under-12, 14, 16 and 19 level.

The competition offered a fun, friendly and informal competition, particularly for those who have not had a chance to play in matches.

Westgate, who attends Mossbourne Academy, has been playing for two years and is encouraged by his dad.

“The standard was good, especially in the later stages. I love table tennis as its exhilarating, fast paced and I love winning,” he said.

“I want to get into the Cadet league and play more competitions to improve.”

The Jack Petchey Table Tennis programme includes competitions through schools via team and individual championships, with progression to grand finals.

More than 5,884 students have played in competitions in the last year and over 40,000 children have been directly impacted by the scheme.

Sir Jack Petchey CBE, the 93-year-old founder of the Jack Petchey Foundation, is passionate about giving young people freedom and opportunity.

“As a young man I loved playing table tennis. It kept me fit and active and developed my self-discipline and confidence,” he said. For more information visit https://tabletennisengland.co.uk.