BETHANY LEACH, the youngest competitor in the Wiltshire County Fencing Championships, took a splendid bronze medal in the U10s girls' section.

Bethany was one of four children entered by Hatherop Castle School, the first time most had competed outside of school matches.

She narrowly lost her final fight to the overall silver medallist.

Not to be outdone, her older brother Charlie also won bronze in the U14 boys' event.

Charlie fenced out of his skin against strong opposition to gain a very hard fought medal.

The boys' U12 competition contained a number of national level fencers and was always going to be a challenging age group.

Despite their lack of experience, Adam Steinmetz and Toby Archard put in a great effort to finish just out of the medals in fourth and fifth respectively.

Neil Bromley, their coach, said “Bearing in mind these children have been fencing just over a year, to come away with two bronze medals, a fourth and fifth is very encouraging."