Suzy proves a bobby dazzler (From Stroud News and Journal)

Suzy proves a bobby dazzler

FOREST GREEN table tennis star Suzy Robinson led a British triumph in an international police table tennis competition.

Pc Suzy Robinson from Gloucester City Centre INA competed for Great Britain in the European Five Nations Police Athletic Association table tennis tournament, held in Amsterdam.

Suzy and team-mate Natasha Lake led the way to a whitewash by the British women's team. Natasha, 28, and Suzy, 22, teamed up to win the ladies' doubles prize, and they faced each other in the singles final with Natasha winning a closely fought match.

Along with a special constable from the Metropolitan police the three-strong side also won the women's team event.

The pair are not strangers to sporting success, however, both have previously won the Police Athletic Association national championships, and Natasha also represented Wales for several years, including at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, where the team came seventh. She has also previously taken the singles title at the European tournament.

"It was a fantastic competition and as a team we came away with everything we could possibly win, which has never been done before," said Suzy. "The European competition is a good event to play in as you get to know the competitors from other countries and it has a great social atmosphere."

As well as police competitions the girls also play in women's British league competitions, which are regularly held in Cheltenham.

"Although I don't practise as much as I used to the basic strokes are still there and both Suzy and myself still do very well in the league," added Natasha.

The constabulary gave the girls time off from their normal duties to take part in the competition, as well as a financial contribution towards the cost of competing.

"We are very proud of what we achieved at the competition, it was such a great tournament to play in and the fact that the team managed to do something no-one has ever achieved before was an added bonus," said Suzy, who is from Nailsworth and has been with the force for two years.

Suzy currently plays for her local team in Forest Green, after following her older sisters into the sport as a youngster.