A TALENTED sailor from Colwyn Bay has been chosen for a national dinghy team squad.

Josh Manning, a Year 12 pupil at Rydal Penrhos school has been selected to the Team GB 420 youth squad for their winter training programme alongside sailing partner Lucy Hughes.

The pair have been in tremendous form throughout a hugely competitive summer of competition, which saw them compete and achieve high finishes at high-profile events across the country.

They were also part of the Team GB squad for the World Championships in Portugal, which is the first time that Josh had competed in the international competition.

He will now join up with his teammates for a series of specialist coaching sessions during the off season

The sixth former has been part of the Wales squad for a number of years and is another success story from Rydal Penrhos’ RYA Accredited sailing programme.

Sally Ann Harding, senior school head, said: “Josh has worked incredibly hard on improving the technical aspect of his sailing and this has enabled him to reach a new level in terms of recognition and achievement.

“He is a wonderful young man who is thoroughly deserving of all the accolades coming his way, and to get a Team GB squad selection is another significant milestone for Josh.”