Bury's Theo Bishop says being selected for the Great Britain team for the ITTF European Para Table Tennis Championships will help him gain to vital big time experience.

The week-long competition begins on Monday and takes place at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

It is only the second time since the London 2012 Paralympic Games that the stars of the British Para Table Tennis Team have had the opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd.

The tournament also represents an opportunity for athletes to secure Paralympic qualification with the gold medallist in each singles class earning a ‘golden ticket’ for Paris 2024 and valuable World ranking points available in both singles and doubles events.

Bishop is part of the British Para table tennis team Pathway squad and has put up some strong performances this year against some of the best players in the world in men’s class 7.

He recently won his first gold medal, combining with World champion Will Bayley to win the men’s class 14 doubles at the US Open in July.

“It was hugely exciting to get selected,” said the 20-year-old who lives in Rawtenstall. “I wasn’t sure if I would be selected or not so as the day got closer, I was getting more and more nervous – I was trying to play it cool but I don’t think I pulled it off. Now I can’t wait to play.

“I’d say that I’m a highly motivated person anyway - I’m always trying to be the hardest working person in whatever room I am - but just to see that the coaches do believe in me is massive and makes me feel I’m going in the right direction.

“To be honest the selection is a success in itself and at this stage in my career I’m mainly going for the experience so that in the coming years when I’m there for the medals it won’t be a big new stage that I’m not used to.

“Most of my family are going to be away but my grandmother will be coming to watch me which is massive for me. Most of my life she’s lived in Ireland so she’s never seen me play and it will be exciting but nerve wracking for me because I want to show her what I can do, and it will be nice for her to be able to watch me.”