SCHOOLGIRL Hannah Clowes is jumping for joy after being crowned Britain's best young gymnast.

The ten-year-old Upton Priory Primary pupil is taking the honour very much in her supple stride but is aiming for dizzier heights... representing her country at the Olympics.

Hannah, who came home champion, and her best pal Frankie Marques, 11, was placed sixth in her age group, competed in front of 500 people in the National Age Group Championships in Guildford.

Hannah, who lives on Princess Street in Bollington, certainly had a spring in her step after she was crowned Britain's finest for her age.

Hannah boldly declared: "We are best friends and our ambition is to carry on together and represent our country and compete in the Olympics."

Frankie, a Fallibroome High pupil, also played a blinder. She only entered the competition at the last minute as a reserve, but finished sixth.

Frankie said: "I have always been able to do the splits and do cart wheels since I was really small.

"But when you perform, you have to block out the butterflies. I feel so nervous before I begin."

Hannah said: "I can't ever hear the crowd. I have to focus, otherwise I get told off by my coaches!"

Years of hard work paid off, as the girls, who first took to the mats when they were five-and-a-half-years-old, thrilled the crowd, and especially their parents.

Proud mum-of-three Joanna Clowes, 36, said: "The most important thing is that both girls thoroughly enjoy gymnastics. But to watch them do so well, and for my daughter to be the best in the country, it's too much to take in.

"They train to a very high standard, and it's made all the miles we have driven taking them to practice sessions and competitions so worth while."

Mum-of-two Alison Marques, 43, a Marks and Spencer store manager, said: "They are lovely to watch. Gymnastics doesn't attract the interest it deserves.

"And seeing your daughter walk out into the hall and do so well is a tremendous feeling."

The commitment for girls of their age is truly amazing. They travel an 100 mile round trip to Liverpool, after school, four days a week, in order to train with the region's finest. And they go back for more on Saturdays!

Frankie admitted: "It's sometimes trying, but it depends what sort of day you've had."

Hannah said: "I practically die on Mondays."

But she must be doing something right after being picked for the national squad.