Lauren Hemp is counting down the days to her North Walsham return so she can see a mural dedicated to her in the town. 

The England winger is preparing for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer hoping to add another trophy to her growing collection, having featured in the Lionesses' famous Euro 2022 winning side. 

Hemp's achievements last summer were celebrated in North Walsham through a piece of artwork put up on the side of Cafe Kitale in St Nicholas Court. 

The 22-year-old plays her domestic football for Manchester City in the Women's Super League, having left Norfolk as a teenager to pursue a career in professional football after emerging through Norwich City's youth ranks. Hemp arrived at 2016 league champions in 2018 after a spell at Bristol City. 

She is an England regular, preparing for her first World Cup with the Lionesses this summer. 

Despite Hemp's success in the game, she hasn't forgotten her Norfolk roots and is excited to return to North Walsham to see the mural in the flesh having been sent regular photos of the artwork by family and friends. 

"It's nice because every now and again I'll get friends from home being like 'I just drove past you on the way to Sainsbury's' and things like that.

"I'm surprised there isn't a moustache or something over my face but my mum texts me most days and says 'it's okay, it's still there - you've not got a beard yet'," Hemp joked.

"It's nice and I can't wait to go home to see what it looks like in real life."

Hemp has been included in Sarina Wiegman's 23-player squad which kicks off next month. 

North Norfolk News: England winger Lauren Hemp is preparing for the World Cup this summer. England winger Lauren Hemp is preparing for the World Cup this summer. (Image: PA Images)

England's preparations were a success having claimed the Arnold Clark Cup for the second successive year after beating Belgium 6-1 at Ashton Gate. They will fly Down Under in the coming weeks to start their camp. 

Wiegman’s European champions get their campaign at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand under way by facing Haiti in Brisbane on July 22 and will also take on Denmark and China in Group D.