The South Durham Gymnastics Club returned triumphantly from Wiltshire last weekend after winning the Alpha Factor UK Invitational Gymnastics Tournament.

The competition involved pieces of work on the vault, bars, beam and floor and the top score on every piece of apparatus was added together to make a final team score.

Coach Nicola Preston said: "Although the event was an invitational tournament and does not count towards a national score there were lots of gymnastic teams from the south who were of a very high standard.

"Everyone from the eight to nine year olds to top seniors played their part so it was a team effort which is a great boost for club morale."

Gymnasts from the club who reached a top six position were:

Level 4: 4th Rebecca Conlon, Kate Dixon, Zaylee Currie, Lauren Anderson, Laura Walker.

Level 3: 3rd Rebecca Irving

Level 2: Sophie Wood

FIG/12-13Years: 1st Amy Fossheim, 3rd Hayley Robson, Hala Alali, Jazmine Spiers, Katie Usher.

FIG/14-15yrs: 3rd Roxanne Jenneson, 6th Melissa Carr, Bethany Heard.

A further boost for the club was the selection of Leonni Jenneson, a pupil at St John's RC Comprehensive School in Bishop Auckland, for the British Junior National Gymnastics Squad who were competing in the Czech Republic for the Cesta Cup on the same weekend as the Wiltshire tournament.

Nicola added: "We could have had Leonni in the team and we must not forget that our other club coach, Rachel Wright, was the British coach for the first time in the Czech Republic competition. Its absolutely marvellous for the club and a terrific start to the season."