Wickford-based Carousel Gym Club started the new season with Essex success when the County in and out of age levels championships were held at Basildon's South Essex Club.

The competition was also a qualifier for the regional finals of the out of age and county apparatus events later in the year.

At level four in age, Carousel's Kirsty Willson took the silver medal with the highest bars score. Rebecca Whyte was fifth and Charlie Atkins sixth.

In the 10-12 level four age group, Danielle Shepherd was triumphant with a consistent competition to take the title. Faye Archer collected the bronze . . . finishing just 0.3 away from silver.

Lauren Gilbert was fourth, Nicola Adams fifth and Gemma Clark seventh. In the same level in the 13/14 years plus age group, Dawn Scholey won the bronze with the highest vault score.

Level three in age saw Emma Jagger in action with an outstanding bars routine for the highest score. She also scored the highest on vault and floor to take the title - over three-and-a-half marks ahead of the next gymnast.

Kerri Couzens took part in the 11/12 level three age group where her excellent beam gave her the highest score of the competition on this piece, helping her win the title and gold medal.

Danielle, Faye, Dawn and Kerri have qualified for the regional finals in December. The club also had competitors winning through in all the apparatus finals.

Carousel also had success in the County level four and vault championships at the same venue. Helena Jackson took a silver medal in the over-12 section where her outstanding vault gained the highest score.

Stylish start - for the girls from Carousel Gym Club

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.