FORMER Colyton Grammar School student Emma Hurst claimed a gold medal with the Great Britain team at the prestigious Master U BNP Paribas event in Lille.

Hurst, who is a member of Seaton Tennis Club, helped claim the title alongside five other players at the event which is the biggest university team tennis tournament in the world.

Exmouth’s Jack Findel-Hawkins, claimed a silver medal this year at the World University Summer Games in Chinese Taipei, also accompanied Hurst to France.

The GB team made their way to the final as they beat Ireland 6-1 before dominating China 7-0 in the semi-finals.

The team went on to face a USA side that had won the event for the last six years but GB prevailed 4-2 in the final.

Hurst was joined by Jonny O’Mara, current world number 162 in doubles, and Maia Lumsden who is currently ranked 527 in the world.

Pippa Horn, also from Bath University, rounded off the team as she made her debut for the team.

World University Games alumni, Hurst, who is now in her last year at Bath University, said: “The GB team support and positive energy created a great atmosphere to give us the basis for this win”.

Joint GB team captain, Barry Scollo said: “This is an incredibly proud moment for university tennis in this country. To win gold against the USA with the strongest Collegiate tennis system in the works is an incredible achievement.”