Sara Parfett has won a silver medal at the 2017 World Rowing Cup II.

The 25-year-old from Cliffe Woods was part of Great Britain’s women’s eight.

Britain’s eight finished second behind New Zealand during Sunday’s final. The World Cup took place in Poznan, Poland.

The GB team were leading at the halfway point of the race but were narrowly pipped to gold by New Zealand, winning in a time of 6.03.750.

Parfett only recently graduated from the GB Rowing Team Start Programme at the University of Bath. She was initially selected for the GB squad for the 2017 European Rowing Championships in May.

She is following in the footsteps of double Olympic Champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who have previously graduated from the programme.

Parfett, who made the switch from swimming to rowing while studying Biology at Bath is a former pupil of Hundred of Hoo School. She is also a past winner of the Medway junior sports person-of-the-year award.

Britain finished with seven medals and rowing performance director David Tanner said: “The Team have produced some fine and encouraging results this weekend and it’s great to see us hold onto our lead at the top of the World Rowing Cup standings. To come away with seven medals, five in the Olympic classes, is very pleasing for the squad.

“The performances certainly bode well for the final World Cup of the season in Lucerne and then ultimately the World Championships in three months’ time.”

Action in Lucerne takes place from July 7.