LOSTOCK teenager Lizzie Harkness has been given a shot at making the England team after being signed up on the Football Association's under-14s regional development programme.

The 13-year-old Year 9 pupil at Bolton School has been invited to take part in a residential weekend this month as one of the top young footballers in the North West.

A handful of girls attending the regional excellence camp will also be selected to go down to the FA's National Performance Centre.

The next step up from there for successful recruits is a place in the England Under-15s squad.

It is still early days for Lizzie, but she has already made rapid progress since joining Everton earlier this year.

Duncan Harkness, Lizzie's father, said: “It's a huge achievement for her just to be invited, especially given she has only been with Everton for six months.

"She is justifiably delighted to have been selected.”

Everton has proved to be the perfect place for Lizzie to aid her development.

The club is one of a handful of regional tier one talent centres in the North West.

Everton's senior side is currently in the top level of the Women's Super League after last season winning the second-tier title.

As well as playing for the Goodison Park outfit, Lizzie also represents Greater Manchester Schools U14s.

Kathryn Heatherington, head of PE at Bolton School Girls' Division, said: “Lizzie is just going from strength to strength with her football which is definitely something to celebrate.”