TWO Forest gymnasts won gold medals in their first-ever competition.

Mark Whitehead and Kevin Heywood took top spot in their sections of the trampoline competition at an event in Leicester.

The friends live at Prospect House in Cinderford, a care home for people with learning disabilities run by Innovation Care.

They travelled to Leicester with rebound therapist Theresa Emery for the competition which attracted competitors from as far away as Norway and the Channel Islands.

Mark and Kevin, who use the trampoline at the Forest of Dean Gymnastics Centre once a week, said they enjoyed the sport.

Theresa Emery said: "We are so proud of what Mark and Kevin have achieved.

"They started with rebound therapy about a year ago and moved onto trampolining.

"The event at Leicester was an international and everybody else was a member of a club.

"What makes their achievement even more special is that it was their first time on a normal trampoline.

"The one they use every week is set into the floor."