Milton Keynes-based Orbit and Kites trampoline clubs have now joined forces but both were represented at the British Trampoline National Finals at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham.

And the clubs provided one national champion. Julie Hardy (Kites) was fifth after her compulsory routine and after a similar score in the voluntary section, she qualified for Sunday's final and one more voluntary routine.

And a superb performance here lifted her into first place.

Competitors from all over the country have been battling to achieve the necessary qualifying scores and a total of 12 Milton Keynes gymnasts were in action.

In grade two, Holly Leung (Kites) competed in the under 13 girls' section but her nerves showed in the compulsory routine, leaving her 43rd. However, her voluntary routine lifted her into 21st place.

In the under 15 girls' class, Rebekah Bridge (Kites), and Emily Young (Orbit) and after the compulsory section Emily was 12th with Rebekah 17th.

After the voluntary routines the gymnasts were 13th and 12th.
For the under 17 girls Annie Turney (kites) gave a great compulsory routine to take fourth spot but was 12th after the voluntary section.

Orbit's Jez Billingham competed in the under 17 boys' section and was seventh after the compulsory section and third after the voluntary section.

He thus qualified in the top eight for one final voluntary routine in Sunday's finals, finally clinching third place.

Also in this group was Kites' Thomas Johnson who was sixth after his first routine but dropped to 10th.

For the under 19 girls, Sophie Myers (Kites) was 11th after the compulsories but was seventh after her voluntary routine, Sophie and she finally took eighth place after Sunday's final routine.

Glyn Dickinson (orbit) was in action for the under 19 boys.

He was equal second after his compulsory routine and he consolidated this spot in the voluntary section. Sunday's final routine then saw him second.

In grade one, Dayle Walker (Kites) was in action for the under 13 girls and she was 23rd after her compulsory section but then gained the fourth highest marks in the voluntary section to move up to 21st place.

For the under 19 girls, Laura Wright (Kites), who was recovering from illness, was 11th after the compulsory section and then finished 13th.

For the men, Nick Winther (Kites) finished 11th after the compulsory section and retained this place after the voluntary section.