A PICKLEBALL star still winning titles in her 60s is planning to introduce the little known sport to the 'Leigh area'.

Elaine Shallcross, who is originally from Astley, overcame hundreds of much younger players to win the ladies doubles' over 19s category at the International Pickleball Tournament in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, September 18.

The 61-year-old's against all odds triumph in Madrid secured her third pickleball gold medal of the year and she is now setting her sights on bringing the sport she loves to Leigh.

Elaine, who is one of the first qualified pickleball teachers in the UK, said: "I already teach classes in Burnley and Clitheroe, but some of the players are travelling quite a distance to attend these sessions, including some from the Leigh area.

"I want to add more sessions and venues, and introducing pickleball to the Leigh area and my hometown of Astley would be ideal.

“I often get asked what pickleball is, as not many people in the north of England are familiar with it.

"I just love it and could play and teach it all day.”

Pickleball is a paddle sport that is a cross between tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Using a perforated plastic ball and solid paddles, it is popular in New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand, where former badminton Elaine was first introduced to the sport.

She has since won a host of pickleball titles all over the world, including European tournaments in Amsterdam and Ukraine this year.

Her victory in Madrid was particularly impressive as she had to play in the over 19s category as her 40-year-old partner Lenka Mišičková, from the Czech Republic, is too young to compete in her usual over 50s section.

Elaine, who is a Lancashire and Great Manchester ambassador for pickleball and a former swimming teacher at The Pelican Centre in Tyldesley and Howe Bridge Sports Centre in Atherton, said: “I am truly thrilled at my age to have won gold in Madrid playing against much younger, fitter players."