A SUPER fit grandmother of ten held onto her World Champion squash title when she played in a tournament in Epping.

The 80-year-old is undefeated because there is no one else in the entire world who is still competing at her age.

Hazel Marsh, from Chadwell Heath in Redbridge, took up squash when she was 40 and has competed in tournaments across the world ever since.

She took part in the event at Epping Sports Centre in memory of her friend Fiona McLeod, who died of cancer last year and played for the Epping club.

But Mrs Marsh was disappointed that no one came forward in her age category to play and she is still looking for someone to take up the challenge.

She said: "It was exhausting but fun. I ended up having to play five times against all these young ladies and I didn't win. But I'm still the world champion because there's no one I can play against to take my title. I usually have to play in the over 65's."

Hazel now spends much of her time travelling across the world as an inspiration for squash players to continue with the sport in old age.

She said: "I can't imagine life without squash and I can't think of anything worse than sitting in doors knitting all the time.

"I get invited to lots of events mainly to encourage younger players to keep going. They think once you hit 50 you have to give up.

"My friends all say aren't you afraid of making a fool of yourself, playing women so much younger, and I say at this age I don't care.

"It's a great sport because it's an all round aerobic and mental exercise and it's good fun."

The Epping event raised money for Cancer Research and was attended by Fiona's former colleagues from the Met police Mrs Marsh said: "Fiona was 47 when she died and she played for the Epping club for many years. I was good friends with her towards the end of her life and she carried on playing right to the end."

Hazel is now hoping that someone over 80 will come forward to compete against her.

She said: "I was the world champion for the over 70's but now I'm the only person competing over 80. I would be more than happy to think if there was another 80-year-old I would love to play them.

"But for now I can practise with younger players. I've got ten grandchildren and none of them have beat me yet."