THREE siblings from Newton Aycliffe have won 12 medals between them at a national tae kwon do competition.

Hannah Hatfield, 14, and twins Rosie and Julian Hatfield, ten, who attend Greenfield Comprehensive and Stephenson Way Primary respectively, won four gold, three silver and five bronze medals at a competition in Darlington.

More than 100 competitors from all of England performed. Rosie, who is a blue belt, came home with two gold in one step sparring and team poomsae, silver in individual poomsae and bronze in self defence.

Julian, a red belt, won two gold in individual poomsae and self defence, silver in one step sparring and bronze in self defence.

Hannah, a 2nd Dan black belt, won silver in team poomsae and three bronze in one step sparring, self defence and freestyle poomsae.

Competition organiser and instructor Katey Wallace, 4th Dan, said: "Hannah, Rosie and Julian are all at a different stage in their martial art progression but all have a unique and individual talent for tae kwon do.

"It's nice to see young people that are dedicated and committed to something they love. They all train on a regular basis and have worked extremely hard to get to the standard they are at today, they very much deserve this success."

Others who achieved success, from Darlington, were Emma Roscher, 13, four gold, one silver; Robbie Bates, 14, three gold, one silver, one bronze; Sam Smith, 9, three gold, one silver; Connor Woodcock, 10, two gold, two silver; Thomas Smith, 9, two gold, one silver.

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