SOME 120 gymnasts competed in the annual Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club Championships.

It was a family success for some as sisters Blake Lea and Mackenna both won gold while their brother, Keeland, won bronze in novice three.

Another successful pair were Imogen and Amelia Seal who also both won gold.

It was eight in a row for Broadwell lad Elliot Baker who, after seven competitions, has yet to come home without a medal. The eight-year-old picked up his first trophy after achieving gold on vault, floor and rings and silver on parallel bars. Sam Carver came second followed by James Hadfield.

Gymnasts from as young as six years-old took part in the novice competition showing a floor routine and two vaults.

Among the novice one champions and gold medallists were: Chloe Whittaker, aged seven, Felicity Allen aged eight and Kit Newland aged seven.

At novice two Isobel Thornton was age seven and eight champion and Ben Kayanja was the novice two boys champion.

Kieran Williams took gold in the novice three boys while Emily Holmes won the novice three girls aged 10 and under.

Finlay Smith made sure of his win in the boys’ four-piece under-11 competition by winning on all apparatus beating Sam Perkins into silver medal position.

The girls’ floor, vault and beam competition was closely fought by seven gymnasts, with Hannah Roberts becoming champion ahead of Molly Hughes and Alyssa Howard.

In the Level One four-piece Amelia Seal was a clear winner, 2.25 marks ahead of silver medallist Lily Goodway and bronze medallist Lola Newman.

In the highest group of the day Level Three four-piece Charlotte Cottrell became champion having won floor, vault and beam. Cara Charles won the bars and came second while Violet Williams won bronze.

Progress trophies were awarded to Florence Eaton, Holly Murray, Sam Carver and William Bees.

A special achievement award was presented to Josh Cooper for his success in the British and English Championships and for acting as an excellent role model and ambassador for the club.

Parents acted as volunteers throughout the day and a raffle was held to raise funds towards a new sprung floor area for the club.

•EMMA Williams is also celebrating after representing the Forest and county in athletics.

The 14-year-old, from the Forest High School in Cinderford, has trained relentlessly with the Forest of Dean Athletics Club and was selected to represent the Forest of Dean at the recent County Athletics Championships in pole vault.

Her efforts at the county championships, also saw Emma selected to represent Gloucestershire at the Regional Athletics Championships in Exeter.

After recording a county championship best of 2.45m for under-15s girls, Emma went on to record 2.55m during the regional championship. This was also a personal best, and ended with her finishing in second place in the South West Championships. Emma narrowly missed out on first place on count back as she had failed one more attempt than the person who finished first.

The Newnham resident also finished first in the county championships in the junior girls’ javelin, throwing a whopping 21.82 metres, ensuring she is a double county champion.

Emma said: “I feel so proud to have achieved what I have done so far.”