TEAM Furness scored a clean sweep in the small schools gymnastics competition at the Cumbria School Games Spring Finals in Penrith last week.

Newton were triumphant in the Key Step One tournament, with Lindal & Marton winning the Key Step Two and Three competitions.

There were victories in the large schools category for St George's and Yarlside in Key Step Two and Three respectively too, adding to the Team Furness success.

"We are absolutely ecstatic," said Newton early years teacher Laura Davison.

"The children have loved every minute and, from such a small school, we are so proud to have reached this level and won."

The performances of the teams and their competitors caught the eye of those watching as well.

"It is great to see the standard of gymnastics improving year on year with pupils and teachers growing in confidence," said Vanessa Foster, event organiser from Cumbria Schools Gymnastics Association.

"We’ve all had a fantastic time and it should be remembered that this was the culmination of almost 1,500 children taking part in gymnastics across the county to get to the finals."

There was further South Cumbrian success in the sportshall athletic events, with Lakes School from Windermere winning the Year 7 competition.

The Sportshall athletics programme is renowned for its exhilarating, fast-paced and energetic competitions which see athletes taking part in a wide variety of track and field events, with relays bringing the competition to an exciting conclusion.