Pupils from Walton-le-Dale Arts College beat off tough competition from 60 schools around the country and were the only school to field four teams in the event in Stoke on April 26.

The gymnasts competed in the vault and floor events and the U19 mixed team was the toast of the college after finishing in sixth place – missing out on bronze by just 1.35 marks.

Meanwhile the U19 boys team finished eighth, the U13 mixed side came eighth and the U13 boys came sixth.

In the build-up to the event the gymnasts were training four or five hours a week trying to perfect their routines.

Gymnastics teacher at the school Carolyn Parkinson said: "We are delighted and thrilled by the success of the children. Every single gymnastics performance by the children was above what we expected from them.

"Some of them were competing in the U19 category yet they are only in 15 and this makes their achievements even more remarkable."

The highlights of the performances was Chantelle Sampson producing a fantastic floor routine after making massive progress on the vault.

Their performance at the National championships rounds off a great year for the competitors who won 23 medals at the North West Novice gymnastics finals at the end of 2007.

The team are now preparing for the South Ribble Gymnastics Championships in a few weeks and then a Gymfest dance display in July.