Acrobatic gymnasts Valentine Tutcher, Jes Kennaway, a pupil at the King's School, Ottery St Mary, and Shaylee Moore returned home as British Champions.

Acrobatic gymnasts Valentine Tutcher, Jes Kennaway, a pupil at the King's School, Ottery St Mary, and Shaylee Moore returned home as British Champions this weekend after taking the national title in the girls' trio event.The acrobatic group - who train over 13 hours per week at Honiton Gymnastics Club - beat the best of the rest from throughout the UK to take the top accolade, winning their event by over half a mark.The girls were competing in the national acrobatic gymnastics finals in Stoke on Trent, following victory in the south west championships in March and excellent results in their first two international competitions.Shaylee, 14, goes to Honiton Community College, Jes, 13, goes to King's and Valentine, 12, attends The Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis. Helen Nayler, high performance coach at Honiton Gym Club, said: "There have been so many highlights this year, but this success has to top them all. And it was such a proud moment when the girls stood on the podium and were named British Champions. It can be easy to forget how much hard work it has taken to get to this stage - from both the girls and the coaches at the club - but they have put in so many hours, and their gold medals were the perfect reward for their endeavours."Valentine, Shaylee and Jes performed two routines at the weekend. The first, a 'dynamic' somersault routine saw the two older girls throwing Valentine in the air for somersaults and twisting elements, and the second involved them balancing her above their heads in handstand positions. Combined with their striking music, sharp choreography and well-executed tumbling elements, the girls proved that they were a cut above the rest.Honiton Gym Club is always interested in finding the next crop of gymnasts who can follow in Jes, Shaylee and Valentine's footsteps. It is running an increasing number of classes for beginners who want to train for fun, but might one day also become British champions. Anyone interested in learning acrobatic gymnastics should contact Helen Nayler on 07825 181693 or email hnayler@hotmail.com for further information, or pick up further details and flyers from Honiton Sports Centre.BRITISH CHAMPS: Honiton Gymnastic Club's new British champions in the girls' trio event: Shaylee Moore (14), Jes Kennaway (13) and Valentine Tutcher (12).