FOUR local girls travelled out to Florida for their international gymnastics debut.

Ella Didcott, 10, from Whitecroft showed tremendous courage and determination so far from home and put in a great performance.

Whitecross student, Taylor Jewitt, 11, from Lydney gave the floor performance of her life, against strong international competition coming a credible second and an overall  11th place, a good standing in a large field.

Izzy Babbage, 12, from St Briavels, a Wyedean student, vaulted through the ceiling coming second on vault. Good performances on beam and floor helped bring home even more medals and placed her overall 10th.

Autumn Barnes, 13, from Tibberton, a Newent student, performed with outstanding maturity, grace and style to become 2011 magical classic first place all around champion. Clean routine on beam, bars and floor gave her top results. All four girls travel and train at the Academy of Gymnastics in Portishead, Bristol.