A YOUNG gymnast is taking part in a national competition.

Imogen Atkinson, who is nine, is aiming to be crowned National School Tumbling Champion when she participates in the National Schools Acro and Tumbling Finals on May 6.

Imogen, a pupil a Greenland Community Primary School, in South Moor, Stanley, was awarded silver in the regional qualifiers securing her place in the final at Fenton Manor in Stoke-on-Trent.

She trains daily at Northern Hope Gymnastics Club, Birtley, and has been tumbling since the age of four.

Imogen said “I love tumbling, it’s so much fun.

“It makes you strong and helps you with so many other sports. I’m really excited for the final and all of the training I’ll have to do to prepare for it.

Tumbling includes dynamic acrobatic skills such as flicks, cartwheels and somersaults.

Performed on a padded floor, Imogen will participate in three separate runs; straight, twist and free.

Her coach, Lynne Hope, said: “Imogen is a really hardworking little girl who has done phenomenally well in her discipline.”