A schoolgirl rower has claimed her place as one of the best in the country after medal success in the national championships.

And to do it she had to sacrifice Christmas by training all through the winter.

Emily Vater, 13, from Woodbury, won the silver medal in her age group at British Rowing’s prestigious National Indoor Championships in London’s Olympic Velodrome,

Battling against a field of 43 rowers in the Junior Year Eight event, Emily rowed 780 metres in three minutes to snatch her second place podium finish.

Emily’s older sister, Rebecca, 15, also put in a strong showing.

Up against a field of 68 in the Junior Year 10 event, Rebecca rowed 1,270 metres in just five minutes to win a creditable 17th place.

Both Vater girls are students at Exmouth Community College, and they also competed in the recent Cornish Indoor Rowing Championship.

Both won gold medals in their separate events.

Emily was seconds off establishing a new indoor record in the Junior Year Eight division.

Of her British championships success, Emily said: “This was a chance in a lifetime for me and I’m just so pleased to have come away with a medal.

“It’s really great for our club, and for Exmouth as well.”

The girls’ mum, Tracey White, is also an active member of Exmouth Rowing Club.

“We’ve been on the water all winter,” she said.

“And we’ve been hitting the machines as well.

“It’s just so nice to see all that hard work pay off.”

Exmouth Rowing Club’s Les Norcliffe, the mastermind behind the club’s indoor rowing activities, said: “The girls’ achievement has well and truly put Exmouth on the map.

“We’re so proud of them.”