HOLY Trinity Primary School maintained its proud tradition of producing gymnastics champions after winning the Lancashire Youth Games mixed team title for the second consecutive year.

The Darwen school had four teams representing the borough in last month's event in Lancaster -- and the gymnasts were the only ones to return with a gold medal.

The team's success follows in the footsteps of former pupils who all enjoyed success in the sport at the highest level.

Eric Wood won a bronze medal in tumbling in the World Championships in the 1980s while Nicola Gosling competed at national level and Gary Aspinall, currently studying at Darwen Vale, is ranked in the top 10 in the world.

Headteacher Mike Leighton was full of praise for the current crop of gymnastic champions who are all Year Three and Year Four pupils.

He said: "We are very proud of our record in gymnastics and for the school to win the Lancashire Youth Games title for the second year running is a fantastic achievement. It is nice to be able to say we are Lancashire champions."

The school introduced gymnastics as an extra curricular activity and now it is an important part of its PE programme.

Qualified gymnastics coach, Suzanne Gosling, and Mike Leighton have been responsible for coaching the youngsters at the school which also has strong links with Darwen Gymnastics Club.

Mr Leighton added: "There are plenty of talented gymnasts at the school, both in the younger and old age groups. Gymnastics has become a big part of our PE programme at the school ever since introducing it as an extra curricular activity.

"Suzanne has done a great job with the children and our reputation has been built on hard work and weekly exercises."

The winning Holy Trinity team, who won gold at Lancaster and Morecambe High School, included:

J Holden, L McKenna, A Turnbull, D Jackson-Cooney and R Brine.