AMY TINKLER continued to ease her way back into competitive action as she finished in eighth position in the uneven bars at last weekend’s British Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool.

Tinkler, who won a bronze medal on the floor at last year’s Olympic Games, has been recovering from a calf injury that restricted her training during the winter.

She opted not to compete in the full all-around at the Nationals, with her only outing coming in the uneven bars.

Her performance in qualifying secured her a place in the final, and not wanting to push herself too hard in her first domestic competition of the year, she eventually finished eighth in a discipline won by Georgia-Mae Fenton.

With Tinkler, who is from Bishop Auckland and a member of South Durham Gymnastics Club, opting out of the all-around final, the national title was claimed by Ellie Downie, with Alice Kinsella and Maisie Methuen filling the other medal positions.

Tinkler is due to return to more high-profile competition a week on Saturday when she is scheduled to take part in the World Cup of Gymnastics at London’s O2 Arena.