WHAT did you do in your summer holidays? I came sixth in the world marble championships.

That is what ten-year-old Jo Tier was able to tell her classmates when she returned to her village school at Bursledon.

Up to now Jo's marble matches have been strictly for fun, pitting her skills against chums in the playground at Bursledon Junior School.

But now she suddenly finds herself in the world rankings after a family holiday to France brought her sporting fame.

Jo, along with her mum Kathy and dad Paul, and her 12-year-old sister Chloe, were staying at a holiday park in the Charente-Maritime region of south-west France.

A delighted Jo got through a local heat which led to an invitation to take part in the world finals at a town about 30 minutes away.

She found herself flying the flag for England against a strong field which included France, Iceland, China, Austria, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain and Ireland.

Not only was she the only girl but she was also the youngest competitor in a sport that is not just child's play - the oldest contestant was 39.

In the two-hour-long final, which attracted a bumper crowd of spectactors, the Bursledon youngster came sixth out of 12.

At one time it looked as if she was going to run away with the title, which was won by the French. For Jo led the field on the first five goes.

Based on the Olympics, the competitors had to manoeuvre the marbles skilfully along a track, carefully avoiding obstacles.

Jo said: "I was really happy about being in the competition."

Mrs Tier said: "The French really cheered on Jo and it was a lovely thing to be part of. There was a big buffet and a huge firework display."

And Jo did not go away empty-handed. She was given a trophy, a souvenir T-shirt and a load of marbles to add to her growing collection.