NEWTON-le-Willows girl Rebecca Lysons and Olivia Simcock from Ashton have become British Champions at the British Schools Gymnastics Association Competition in Stoke-on-Trent.

They were competing against students from 12 other schools in the ‘Over 14’s Pairs Floor Routine’ category of the National Finals on May 2nd.

The pair performed a winning mix of dance, gymnastic moves and ‘pairs balances’ in which the two young girls support each other in different positions.

Lysons, 17, who is studying chemistry, biology, maths and psychology, said: “We weren’t expecting this at all, so we’re both so excited and pleased to have won!”