WILTSHIRE School of Gymnastics took a group of 16 competitors to the Angel of the North Championships in Liverpool.

In their first competition of the season, under the direction of new head coach Gillian Ford, the Melksham-based club's girls competed against 600 other competitors from across the country in five different categories.

In the FIG section Jessica Daykin, from Littleton Panell and Mere's Jasmine Harkin proved their class, placing first and fourth respectively, a stepping stone in their preparations for the forthcoming English Championships.

In the Compulsory section of the competition, Alexa Evans, of North Bradley, produced the competition of her life to place first in a strong field with Maya Jakbowski, of Bradford on Avon, closely behind in fourth.

Melksham's Lydia Webb placed first on bars in the National section while Devizes' Martha Green was third on both beam and range.

In the regional section Bromham's Brooke Johnston was first, closely followed by Trowbridge teammates third-placed Violet Browne, Ashley Bygrave in sixth and Emily Young eighth.

Also in this category were Devizes' Polly Boother and Trowbridge's Chloe Johnson who both placed in the top section of the competition.

The club section took to the floor where Bradford on Avon's Isabel Brazeley smashed the field, winning by two entire marks.

Her teammates followed suit with Bradford's Jessica Potter and Chippenham's Alysia Garrett third and Erin Wintle competing cleanly in her first ever competition.

Head coach Gill Ford said: "The girls were excellent and proved that hard work does pay off. Results aside, all the girls should be commended as they were extremely professional in their attitude and greatly supportive to their team mates. The team title was not on the radar at the beginning of this competition but the girls learned when a team pulls together anything is possible."

Wiltshire School will be running a talent ID day for children aged 4-6 for more details email wag@wiltshiregymnastics.co.uk