Salto gymnasts came face to face with some of the country's best junior performers at the British Schools Acrobatics Championships.

Joanna Matthews (Warden Hill Juniors) was the standout performer as she claimed gold in the U11 girls event.

In a tightly fought contest, Matthews needed at least a 9.00 in her last of three passes to take the top prize and, after a superb effort, she was awarded a 9.05 by the judges. This gave her a total of 26.50 and the title of British champion.

In the same competition, Abby Fraser tumbled well to record a score of 24.30.

In the U11 boys event, the reigning champion Elliott Browne (The Meads Primary) had to settle for a silver medal after a tally of 25.35 saw him just miss out on a second straight gold.

Georgia Lockett (Cardinal Newman) finished ninth in the U13 girls tournament with a score of 24.90 while Samantha Jesson (Lealands High) scored 24.70.

Omar Erahdun (Challney High) tumbled well in the U13 boy's section to improve on last year's result, finally finishing 8th. Jamie Challinor (Henlow Middle) fought bravely but had to settle for a score of 22.05.

Farah Erahdun (Challney High) finished in sixth place in the O13 girls, just 0.4 points away from the bronze medal position while Jodie Channell-Clarke tumbled consistently to score 24.35.

In the O13 girls pairs, the Lea Manor duo of Jordan O'Brian and Natalie Pile scored 7.80 to finish ninth.