15 May - Young gymnasts land glittering haul of medals

Young gymnasts from a Middlesbrough primary school have returned from a national competition with a sackful of medals

Young gymnasts from a Middlesbrough primary school have returned from a national competition with a sackful of medals.

The youngsters from Pallister Park Primary were representing the North of England at the British Schools Championships in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday and Sunday (May 12 and 13).

And the Under 11 team did the town proud with a series of top notch performances.

Team members Jessica, 11, Jack, nine, James, 10, Chloe, 10, Mackenzie, nine, and eight-year-old Demi are coached by Jackie Wall and Rachel Baxter and are the youngest team ever entered in the competition by Middlesbrough.

James and partner Mackenzie landed the gold medal and British title in the Mixed Pair event, with Jack and James taking the silver medal in the Boys' Pair.

The team was just out of the medals in the Sports Acrobatic Group and Girls Pair, coming fourth and fifth respectively.

Pallister Park Headteacher Chris Wain said: "The team trained incredibly hard, so they fully deserve this success.

"They showed they were more than a match for schools from across the UK, and had a great time into the bargain.

"Everyone at the school is enormously proud of these youngsters and their outstanding achievements."