Girls from South Essex Gymnastics Club did outstandingly well when seven of them competed in this year's levels four, three and two competition.

In level four (nine-years-old) South Essex, based at Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, had four gymnasts attempting the compulsory routines on vault, bars, beam, floor plus range and conditioning.

Leah Hickton finished third in this level with 41.425 and qualifies to represent the east ern region in the national finals in May.

Emma Fair was not far behind with 40.40 and is reserve for the finals. Michelle Yems and Danielle Gardiner also did well in their first competition and achieved enough to comfortably secure a pass at level four.

In level three, held on the same day, Katie Walker and Kirstie Parker were both successful in passing. Katie was third and qualified for the national finals with a score of 43.387.

In level two, which is a national competition to qualify for the British Championships, two gymnasts from South Essex were successful in achieving a pass mark.

Caroline Nelson was 12th with 42.925, including a 9.45 on range and conditioning.

Laura Rose passed in 28th position with a total of 40.325 which included 9.475 on range and conditioning and 9.275 on floor - both the top scores of the day. Joanne Thompson also competed at level two.

Keeping in step - the highly-successful South Essex Gym Club girls.

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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