A TEENAGER who lost part of a leg to cancer is celebrating after he and his partner won a national gymnastics title.

Kieran Maxwell, from Heighington, near Darlington, took part in the National Development Plan Acrobatic Gymnastics championships in Stoke-on-Trent, at the weekend.

He and his gymnastics partner Abbie Ramsey, from Shildon, impressed judges in the competition, which featured hundreds of participants from around the country.

Kieran, 14, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer in 2010, which ultimately led to his left leg being amputated at the knee.

A fundraising group in Kieran’s name, set up by his parents Nicola and Alistair, last year received a five-figure boost from Euromillions lottery winners Chris and Colin Weir, from Scotland.

Kieran and Abbie were put together as partners at the Athena Sports Academy, in Newton Aycliffe, where they both train.

Able-bodied Abbie was cheered on at the competition by her mother and sister.

An ear infection in the weeks leading up to the competition threw Kieran’s plans into a tailspin, but he was well enough to compete, to the delight of his proud parents.

Mrs Maxwell said: “They got a score of nine for their execution, which the judges do not give out easily.

“It was a two-day competition, with 500 gymnasts involved, and Kieran and Abbie were two of the very few to get a score that good.

“Kieran was ecstatic with the results, absolutely over the moon, so was Abbie – they were just bouncing.”

As well as being named UK champions in their category and age group, Kieran and Abbie also won a trophy for being the competition’s most inspiring act.

Mrs Maxwell added: “Everybody cheered for them when their names were called out, it was absolutely fantastic, the whole weekend was. We are very, very proud.”

The teenager celebrated his success with a meal at Frankie and Benny’s, with his parents.

Durham University’s catering department provided sponsorship for Kieran and Abbie’s participation in the event.

Fundraising for Kieran – including the donation from Mr and Mrs Weir – has helped pay for prosthetic limbs to help him fulfil his dream of competing as a gymnast.

A fundraising night for the Kieran Maxwell Fund was held at Hall Garth Hotel, near Darlington, earlier this month.