A YOUNG swimming hopeful from Potters Bar hopes to make a splash in an upcoming national competition.

Ben Harrison is set to represent England South in 100m and 200m backstroke at the 2016 School Games from September 1-4.

The competition is a multi-sport event taking place at Loughborough University and in Sheffield bringing together 1,600 of the UK’s elite young athletes.

Ben, who trains at Mount Kelly, said: “I’m surprised, honoured and privileged to compete in such a high profile event.”

The swimming events Ben, 15, will appear at are set to take place at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge international sports centre in its Olympic-sized pool on September 3.

Previous competitors in the Games include Olympic gold swimmer Adam Peaty, Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson before they went on to international success.

At the event Ben will live within the Olympic-style Athletes’ Village, attend spectacular opening and closing ceremonies and perform in front of a crowd of thousands.