SOUTHAMPTON diving academy youngster Charly Tomkys struck gold at the senior national championships in Manchester.

The 18-year-old was taking a break from revising for her A-levels to attend the meet.

Diving with partner Hayley Sage from Beaumont Diving Academy based at Hatfield in Hertfordshire, she took gold in the junior 3m synchro event.

"We were really thrilled to get the gold," she said. "We don't get to train together very often and we had to fit in extra travelling just before exams began, so I'm really pleased that it was all worth it."

Gary Hunt, 19, pictured above, and also preparing for A-levels, tasted success in the 19/20 years age group, taking bronze medals on both 1m and 3m boards, scoring a personal best on the 1m board.

The thumb injury which had hampered his performance in the Hampshire Championships the previous weekend prevented him from competing on platform.

But Hunt was able to take part in the 3m synchro event, partnered by Peter Harrison from Leeds.

Despite the limited amount of training time they have spent together, they were fourth in the mens' senior event.

Robert Appleby, 17, currently sitting his AS-level exams, was taken by surprise by his place in the finals of the 1m event.

Having returned to the changing room to dress, he had to be called back to the pool to complete the extra dives for the final when the positions were announced following the preliminary rounds.

Director of coaching Lindsey Fraser said: "All our divers won places in finals, which is a considerable achievement."

Results:

Seniors: Gary Hunt, 1m 9th, 3m 14th, synchro 3m 4th; Charly Tomkys, 1m 9th; Robert Appleby, 1m 12th.

19/20 years: Gary Hunt, 1m bronze, 3m bronze.

Juniors: Charly Tomkys, 1m 5th, synchro 3m gold; Robert Appleby, 1m 5th.