Snooker starlet Lisa Ingall of Wickford is celebrating a triple coup.

The 18-year-old reached the last eight of the women's World Championships for the first time, became the first female ever to qualify for the Essex under-19s final and has been given a car!

The world number seven, who regularly practices at Wickford and Basildon snooker clubs, won 4-0 and 4-3 (after losing a 3-1 lead) in the biggest competition in the women's game, before going out 4-0 against Karen Corr.

However, victories by 3-0, 3-0, 3-1 and 3-0 took Lisa into the county under-19s final, to be held at Chelmsford on May 8.

She said: "I was pleased to reach the world quarter-finals because it was one stage further than I got the previous year and it shows I'm making progress."

Lisa has also decided - on the basis of having a Welsh great uncle - to switch her playing allegiance from England to Wales, where she is ranked number one.

Her biggest practical boost, though, is a deal with Central of Leigh-on-Sea, which is providing her with a Ford Fiesta.

She said: "I'm really grateful. It will help me get around the country."

Lisa's next venture is a 12-hour charity snookathon at Wickford Snooker Centre on May 15, with another talented south Essex youngster, Chris Pollock, to raise cash for BIBIC - a charity for brain-injured children.

Ring the centre on 01268 732311 if you want to sponsor Lisa.

Lisa Ingall - reached the last eight of world championship

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.