Majorette Kate Spillane might be old enough to be mother to most of the other competitors at the world baton twirling championship but that did not stop her bringing home a medal.

Both she and fellow Devizes Dazzler Joanna Stubbings were part of a 22 strong England team who came second in the banniere category.

Mrs Spillane, who turns 37 next week, said she was the oldest competitor in the England team and among the other nationalities competing at the world championships.

The mother of four said: "People in the national baton twirling association call me the old lady but very endearingly. They say I don't look my age.

"I have got very broad shoulders and it doesn't bother me. Once you get the bug and start competing again you can't stop."

Mrs Spillane said European rules stopped baton twirlers from competing solo at international competitions when they reach the age of 30 but were allowed to compete as part of a team.

Her event at the competition involved the teams using flags and rifles in their five minute performance.

Mrs Spillane and Miss Stubbings, 17, were selected for the England team at the national championships in Devon and have spent the past year practising for the world championships, which were held in Eindhoven, Holland.

Mrs Spillane, who runs the Devizes Dazzlers and lives in Broadleas Crescent, said: "We are absolutely delighted to achieve silver. The world baton twirling championships are the Olympics of baton twirling.

Mrs Spillane, who was a national champion when she was a youngster, resumed baton twirling three years ago after a break of 23 years.

Miss Stubbings, of Roseland Avenue, Devizes, and a student at Trowbridge College, is the national champion in the junior beginner military strut.