STUDENTS from Knutsford will represent their region at the concluding stage of a national competition next month.

Knutsford Academy and Bexton Primary School were victors in their category during the Milano North West Team Finals at Walton-le-Dale in Preston.

It marks a third successive year they have won at the qualifier.

A boys’ quartet, also from Bexton, overcame an injury to teammate Alex Baldwin to classify third in their competition.

They will join the other two teams in Stoke on Trent.

“We’re so pleased to have such great talent here,” said Nikki Walsh, head of PE at the Academy.

“Success like this is made possible by the students’ own commitment.”

The children train at Gymfinity Gymnastics Club, based on Mereheath Lane at Egerton Youth Club, where they put together a group routine.

“We’ve worked hard over the past three months, so it was great to see them deliver it perfectly,” said their coach Lilian Rees, from Gymfinity.

The winning Academy team at the regional contest was made up of Maya Ashcroft, Milana Marsden-Taylor, Millie Marshall and Louis Thomas.

Meanwhile Safia Hughes, Mia Platt, Emma Routs and Mia Wheatley took gold for Bexton.

Walsh added: “We’ve continued to work in partnership with Gymfinity, who provide the expertise these students’ special talent needs.”

This year’s two-day Milano National Team finals take place at Fenton Manor from Friday, March 11.