SIX adult gymnasts from Basingstoke shared medal success at the recent British veterans championships in Ipswich.

The Basingstoke Gymnastic Club members, remarkably, brought home gold and silver medals in a first-ever entry into the championships.

The 17th staging of the competition for over-18s allows former star performers and recreational gymnasts to compete on all the normal apparatus disciplines against similarly aged people.

The oldest competitor this year was 69.

All of the Basingstoke gymnasts entered the recreational competition and most of them started gymnastics only two years ago.

Steve Bond was awarded the gold medal in the over-40 age group and Raith Munroe won the over-30 silver.

This was an amazing achievement because it was the first competition for both gymnasts.

Nikki Cooper, Laura McCulloch and Gill Robinson competed in the over-20 age group, with all three achieving personal best scores.

Anna Varnam also did well, competing in her over-40 age group.

The excellent results meant that Basingstoke Gymnastic Club came second in the team competition.

This year's successes have provided great hopes for next year's tilt at the national titles.

Anyone who is interested in adult gymnastics can attend classes at the Kempshott Park Industrial Estate-based club, which are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.45pm until 8.30pm.