Not just a place famous for pretty pictures.... (From Gazette & Herald)

Not just a place famous for pretty pictures....

Thornton-le-Dale maybe best known for its picturesque houses and landscapes but it has also become a breeding ground for talented young gymnasts.

Members of the Pickering-based Ryedale Flames gymnastics club won a host of individual and team championships last year, with four winners coming from Thornton-le-Dale. Chloe Avison, aged eight, won three titles, including the women's artistic Yorkshire individual floor and vault at level one in her age group.

Lorna Ruston, aged 13, picked up four championship-winning medals in team events, including two overseas when the Flames visited Hendersonville in North Carolina.

Kayleigh Hall, aged nine, was part of the winning team that won the Yorkshire women's artistic floor and vault level one championship in the category for eight and nine-year-olds.

And eight-year-old Hollie Cook was the fourth Thornton-le-Dale gymnast to win a title. She became Yorkshire champion in the individual floor and vault level one general gymnastics championship championship in the category for seven and eight-year-olds.

Coach Kevin Dekeyser said: "Considering the population of the village in comparison with the big populations of the cities and large towns in Yorkshire, its amazing how these young gymnasts won so much between them last year."

Updated: 09:35 Wednesday, February 26, 2003