TWIN brothers cut a swathe through the opposition to win a clutch of medals at the British Youth Fencing Championships.

Simon and Magnus Whittle, both boarders at Stonyhurst College, in Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley, took on the cream of the nation and achieved impressive silver and bronze medal finishes.

The 16-year-olds both won all six of their bouts to head into the elimination rounds as the top-ranked fencers.

Simon won the silver medal in the under-16 boys’ epee class, and Magnus won bronze in the under-16 boys’ sabre class to claim podium places at the event, at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

More than 600 young fencers from all over the UK took part, with the top 40 competing in each age group.

The brothers, from Birmingham, have been fencing since the age of seven and their father has also taken up the sport.

Simon said: “I’m delighted to have won silver. Taking part in the finals was a tremendous experience.

“It is an intellectual sport which involves a lot of thinking as you have to make quick decisions tactically.”

In the epee class the whole body is a target, but the saber class reduces the target area to the torso.

Magnus, who is aiming to compete in next year’s Under-17s European Championships, is hoping his win will boost his Olympic dreams.

“I enjoy it because it is a cunning sport where mental agility is key and you have to think carefully about your next move.

“I would love to take part in the Olympics,” he said.

The boys’ fencing mistress, Laura Ellis, said: “We are all really proud of Magnus and Simon’s achievements.”