The town hall played host to a battle of the ages on September 5^th as 6yr old Japanese girl Mima Ito and 81yr old local lady Edna Fletcher fought to win a unique game of table tennis.

Mima was flown the 6000 miles to Great Yarmouth to be filmed as part of a You Can Do It style show which will be aired to millions of viewers in Japan on September 15^th.

The show features Japanese people who have travelled around the world to take part in various challenges and the show’s producers felt that the age difference between these two competitors would make compelling viewing and highlight table tennis as a game for all ages.

Gorleston great-grandmother Edna is an acclaimed table tennis player, having won multiple titles at the world veteran table tennis championships. However, it still came as a shock when Edna found out about this latest high profile fixture, “I was quite surprised when I found out I’d be playing a six-year-old but I am aware she is already a celebrity in Japan”, Edna stated.

The event was held in the assembly room at the town hall in front of around 100 spectators. The mayor, Paul Garrod was on hand to present Mima with gifts, including a plaque with Yarmouth’s coat of arms, to keep as a memento of her trip to Norfolk.

Mima, who could barely see over the table, managed a serious of thunderous smashes which, despite Mrs Fletcher’s best efforts, saw the visitor win three sets to love.