THIRTEEN members of Monarchs Acrobatics Gymnastics Club competed in the South-West Tumbling Prelims at Gloucester and returned with nine medals.

Chris Rogers, Jessica Titcombe, Mat Short and Ashley Payne all earned places in the national finals, to be held at Stoke-on-Trent.

Their success came despite the fact that Monarchs, who train in Bridgwater, Highbridge and Weston, have been able to train only six times (once a month) on the tumble track at King Alfred Sports Centre, Highbridge since a considerable price rise there last September.

Head coach Tony Merrett said: "Fortunately, the gymnasts were working to such a high standard before the cut in tumbling times that they have maintain what they already had.

He went on: "Unfortunately, this will not apply to the new youngsters who are only just starting out and won't get the coaching time that the others have had in the past.

"They used to tumble every weekend on Saturday and Sundays on the specialised track, which can only be used in the sports centre, as the school gym, where they also train, is too small."

Merrett added: " The club in Gloucester, where the competition was held, train three days a week and are at a huge advantage. So many congratulations to all our gymnasts who took part and did so well.

Medal-winners: Gold - Chris Rogers, Jessica Titcombe, Mat Short, Conor McKenna, Crystal Hale. Silver - Ashley Payne, Sean McKenna, Gemma Lewis. Bronze - Connor Phillips. Fourth places went to Georgia Green and Rebecca Rolfe, a sixth to Emily Shortland and eighth to Monique Walcot n Anyone interested in joining the club, please telephone Sue or Tony Merrett on (01278) 793457 - for gym tots as well as recreational and competitive acrobatic gymnastics.