A YOUNG snowboarding star has returned from Austria with the British Junior title.

Gemma Holmes, 17, of Lindisfarne Close, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, held off the challenge of 50 other competitors to win the championships, held in Mayrhofen.

She came out top in three different types of jumps - border cross, half pipe and big air.

Gemma, whose father, David, is a former top international waterpolo player, had been living in Austria for three months training for the championships, courtesy of her sponsors.

She has already won the dry slope equivalent of the British Junior snowboarding title.

The only slight cloud on the horizon for Gemma - who wants to pursue snowboarding as a full time career - is that she has had to move her training in the UK.

Gemma was able to use the dry slope at the Spectrum Leisure Centre, at Willington. But the slope is expected to be closed and sold off.

She now has to travel to the dry slope at Silksworth, Sunderland, 20 miles away.

Said Gemma: "I'm looking for work at the moment, but want to continue snowboarding. It's amazing and people should give it a go."