The 64-year-old from Nottingham has been involved in the sport for more than 40 years and held the position of vice-chairman of performance and selection in the current Board of the ETTA and had responsibility for elite athletes in the sport.

The election for a new chairman was held after the death of Andy Seward.

He was credited with making key changes at ETTA after taking up the position last July, when it failed to secure long-term funding from Sport England.

An independent review had shown the ETTA and the sport were in need of a radical overhaul.

Deaton takes up the role of chairman as the organisation continues its restructuring.

She said: "Last year I was pleased to be part of the new Board of the ETTA and shared the vision of our late chairman.

"I know that we are on the right track to make table tennis a sport fit for the 21st century.

"Sport England has recently endorsed our work so far by awarding a further tranche of funding.

"I am now committed to ensuring that table tennis can be enjoyed at a social level by all ages, at a competitive level in leagues and clubs around the country, that our current elite athletes receive the best opportunities to compete internationally and that we identify and nurture our talent for the future.

"It is not going to happen overnight, but I am sure that we are on the right road to deliver these objectives."