Sidmouth nippers triumphed at their first British Championship and produced four national grade life-savers in Exmouth.

The town’s team of 14 youngsters came a ‘more than credible’ 14th as they competed against 600 other participants from 600 clubs.

Sidmouth Junior Surf Lifesaving Club took on life-saving ocean and beach events and dominated in a number of categories.

George Manley won the 10-year-olds’ board race, with Ollie Keast taking the silver. As a duo, the lads pulled off gold in the blue ribbon event, the board rescue.

Will Bolton came away with a full suite of medals - a gold in the 1km run, silver in the sprint and bronze in beach flags, all in the 10-year-olds’ age group.

Josie Crisp, Joe Ashby and Thomas Fletcher also helped reach the team’s 11-medal total.

Team manager Dave Manley said: “I’m very proud of the young life-savers for coming in the top 50 per cent of teams in their first British championships. To beat some of the established Cornish clubs in their first year is astounding. I’m particularly pleased with the way the team gelled - it bodes well for the future.”

The National Surf Lifesaving was held in Exmouth for the first time after three decades of Cornwall hosting the competition.

• See pages 22 and 23 for more photos.