MALVERN St James pupil Tabitha Monkhouse won her West Midlands national qualifier at Tudor Grange, Solihull.

The 13-year-old took the 50-metre freestyle swim by 0.04 seconds, recording a personal best time of 30.31. She then ran the 1,000m, finishing second in her year group.

The Worcester Swimming Club member made the national finals in Bath next year.

Monkhouse will also take part in a national biathlon at Crystal Palace in August 2009.