A YOUNG chess player has fulfilled his dream of getting into the England squad.

Sam Walker, 11, from Great Missenden is a member of the Wycombe and Hazlemere Chess Club and has just been selected to play for the England Under 11 Chess team.

It is the first time anyone from Buckinghamshire has qualified for the national squad in his age group for more than ten years.

Sam said: "I think it's absolute fantastic.

"It was quite an exciting tournament because I had to win four games out of six and I lost my first two. I beat one of the best players in England in my last game."

The schoolboy says his dad has taught him everything he knows.

His proud father, Colin Walker, said: "I think its amazing. He only started playing competitively a year ago.

"He's really competitive, he works hard at it and he's very determined. He's able to fight with the best of them."

Sam will be travelling with the squad to compete with teams from Wales, Holland and Belgium in the summer.