JANE Bell produced a sensational display to win gold at the World Triathlon Championships in Vancouver, Canada.

And with clubmates Emma-Kate Lidbury taking silver and Sophie Whitworth bronze, it was a weekend to remember for the Oxford Tri Club.

Bell, from Ickford, near Thame, who won bronze in Hamburg last year, claimed the ladies 50-54 sprint championship by almost 20 seconds.

She finished the 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run in 1hr 34mins 3.68secs.

Lidbury and Whitworth were both competing over the full Olympic distance - a 1,500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.

Lidbury, from Oxford, who also claimed bronze in Hamburg, finished just five seconds behind Australia's Michelle Wu in the 25-29 age group - but a huge 3mins 46secs ahead of the third athlete.

Whitworth, from Forest Hill, who won silver in both Honolulu (2007) and Hamburg was just over ten minutes behind the winner in the 35-39 category, but comfortably took bronze.

"We are over the moon with all the great results of our athletes especially Jane, Emma-Kate and Sophie with their medals," said Ian Loades, Oxford Tri's vice-chairman.

Another club member, Ian Smith, just missed out on a medal in the men's 45-49 sprint event after coming fourth in 1.18.14, with Sarah Grylls fifth in the ladies 55-59 event.

Other Oxfordshire competitors taking part in the World Championships were Ian Osborne, Roberta Dionello, Jerry Greatorex, Mike Whitworth, Carys Williams, Robert Pettingell, Emma Keys, Mat Rowley, James Leigh, Richard Dunbabin and Graham Kiff.

Meanwhile, Oxford Tri member Rachel Stoakes finished a superb fifth in the Mazda Blenheim Triathlon over the weekend.

Running in her first Elite event, Stoakes ran with great credit, but was no match for race winner Jodie Swallow.