A TOP table tennis coach and England player with 500 caps paid a motivational visit to the Fernhurst club.

Alison Broe is more used to coaching national and international teams for World Commonwealth and European Championships but she spent an evening coaching junior club members and was impressed by their level of play.

At an extra session in the village hall, she taught young players about back, side and top spin, showing how a back spin could bring the ball back to you without giving your opponent a chance to hit it. She also demonstrated how to return spins by opening or closing your bat. She offered players prize money if they could return her serve, but no-one went home richer.

During the evening, Alison also quizzed members on table tennis facts, from scoring, bat types and the speed professionals can hit the ball, which is around 100mph.

The club welcomes new members – call John Bounds on (01428) 653233.