Three gymnasts, from a Thame-based club, won silver medals for Great Britain at the European Acrobatic Championships in Holland.

Joanne White, 16, Amber Ballantyne-Styles, 13, and Abigail Collins, 11, were competing in the 11-16 years age group, and first had to go through a tough qualifying competition against 21 other nations.

After two days of qualification, the trio were lying in third place, with another British team, Catherine Aitchson, 13, Rosie Green, 14, and Ellie Newitt, 11, in fourth.

Only one team from each country progressed to the final, which meant White, Styles and Collins moved through, finishing in the silver medal position, just 0.35 points behind Russia.

The youngsters train at the Oxford School of Gymnastics, a club specialising in acrobatic routines.

They train at Lord Williams's School in Thame under the expert guidance of coaches Emma Parr and Caroline Day.

Parr, who accompanied the girls as part of the British coaching team said: "We are delighted with the success of our girls at this major competition.

"It goes to show what talent we have out our club, but also the talent that Great Britain has on the European and world stage."

The Great Britain medal haul was three gold, seven silver and three bronze.

Parr added: "We are one of the most successful sports in this country, regularly bringing home international medals, but few people know of our success.

"If our sport had Olympic status we would be heroes!