A Chorley youngster is flying to Las Vegas with Great Britain's Junior Inline Puck Hockey team.

Eden Monks, 12, is set to don the National strip for the Junior Olympics.

Teams face off for the Amateur Athletics Union Championship in July. Monks and the U12 team start their campaign on July 12 and until then, he will link up regularly with his team-mates for training in Rotherham before flying to America.

“I went through quite a rigorous selection process last Autumn,” said Monks. “And I was thrilled when I finally got the letter giving me the news that I had made the squad.”

The Holy Cross High School pupil has been skating for five years since taking lessons as part of the Chorley Get Up and Go programme at Clayton Green Leisure Centre.

He has since gone on to take his skating to hockey at Wigan Roller Rink and also plays ice hockey for the Manchester Phoenix Junior team, based in Altrincham.

“I can't wait to go to America and represent my country,” added Monks. “This is a real honour.”

The British Inline Puck Hockey Association is the UK National body for the Sport and has been in existence for 17 years - interest in the sport is steadily growing. Inline Puck Hockey is played with a puck and players wear in line skates.