YOUNG gymnasts from County Durham were jumping for joy after their team landed a national title.

South Durham Gymnastics Club, based in Spennymoor, landed top spot at The Bill Slater National Team Competition in Newcastle at the weekend.

Victory was a surprise for the club as they were one of the youngest teams in the contest and were facing 16 of the country’s most successful clubs.

The girls representing the club were Claudia Barkes, nine, from Barnard Castle; Amy Tinkler, nine, from Bishop Auckland; Caitlin Maguire, ten, of Shildon; Emily Gargan, ten, from Shincliffe; Jade Armstrong, 11, from Spennymoor, and Stephanie Lowes, 14, from Darlington.

The girls competed on each piece of apparatus and after they all put in excellent performances, including at least four clean routines, they won team gold and were crowned Bill Slater National Champions. The girls train around 20 hours each week and are coached by Rachael Wright and Nicola Preston.

Mrs Preston said: "Out aim was a top six finish. This was beyond our expectations as they were one of the youngest teams competing."

The five youngest girls are competing in Guildford in November for the Voluntary National Finals where they aim to be selected for the Great Britain squad.