TWO talented young tennis players from south Essex have been selected as potential future stars by the game’s governing body.

Abigail Michelow, 10, from Basildon, and Edward Pudney, 12, from Southend, have been included on the Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) Aegon FutureStars programme.

Abigail, who trains at the Clearview Health & Racquets Club in Brentwood, and Pudney, who trains at Garons Tennis Academy in Southend, were picked following a successful year on court.

The programme is aimed at helping some of the best juniors in the country and the 2013 intake of 486 top juniors will receive funding and support from the LTA.

Leon Smith, LTA head of tennis, said: “It’s a long journey for any player hoping to make an impact on the game but we hope that with the right support, these players are given the best possible chance of reaching their full potential.”