FORMER Hereford schoolgirl Amy Ballantyne (pictured right) has earned her first international call-up to the England swimming team.

The 13-year-old has been picked to swim for her country in the 34th Speedo WISE Home International against Scotland, Ireland and Wales on Saturday, March 19 in Swansea.

The international will be at the heart of a busy period for the former Aylestone School pupil as it falls in the middle of the British Long Course Championships in Man-chester in which Amy will also be competing.

The swimmer's international debut is just reward for the dedication she has already shown to her career, involving a move from her Hereford home to board at Plymouth College after being offered a scholarship with the UK Swim Programme as part of the Plymouth Leander Swimming Club.

Last weekend, Amy got some good preparation in for her international debut by claiming an impressive medal haul at the Swansea New Year Open Meet.

During the competition, she claimed two gold, four silver and two bronze medals with the highlights coming with personal bests in the 200m freestyle and 50m freestyle. These take her total of national qualifying times for the national youth championships in August to seven.