The Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club has three new county champions among its youngest squad members.

Competing in the Gloucestershire Novice Floor and Vault Championships held at the Gymnastics Centre at Five Acres, the club made their presence felt on the podium by winning an amazing eight medals from their team of 12.

Anna Preece started the ball rolling as she became one of the club's youngest county champions when she won the Novice 2, age seven competition.

Eliza Cripwell could barely contain her excitement when she followed this by winning the Novice 2 age eight and Charlotte Cole then completed the hat trick by winning the Novice 2, age nine competition.

The girls competed against clubs from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol and Cirencester with up to 17 gymnasts in their group.

Silver medals were won by Grace Treharne in Novice 2 age eight, Bethan Morgan age eight, Bethany Randall age 11 and Charlotte Armstrong in the Novice 3 age nine.

The medal tally was completed by Katie Jones winning a bronze medal in the Novice 3, age nine competition.

The marks were so close that Lily James and Lucy Smith narrowly missed medals by 0.05 of a mark just behind Charlotte Armstrong. Zea Levy took sixth place and despite fourth place on vault Ella Waite came seventh in Novice 2 age eight.

Most of the gymnasts train in the club's development squads with several competing in their first county championships.

Enquiries and information about the gymnastics club, which starts children in classes at one-year-old, can be made to 01594 833393 or at forestofdeangym.com