Stowmarket High School’s Katherine Rednall has this afternoon made history as the youngest champion in world bowls history.

Rednall, 18, beat Rebecca Field in the final of the world bowls ladies singles at the Potters resort in Hopton, Norfolk.

Playing live on BBC 2, Rednall – who would normally have been in a double textiles lesson at school – dominated the match, winning two sets to nil, 14-4, 11-3.

She said: “I can’t believe it, I’m really pleased.

“I came into it as I would any other game. I knew it was going to be tough, but I thought as long as I could get my first bowl on the jack and keep going then I’d be alright.”

She added: “I want to say thank you to everyone who has come to support me over the past week. The amount of support I’ve had has been ridiculous.”

- Buy tomorrow’s papers for an interview with Suffolk’s newest world champion.