Two teenagers from Purton have been selected to represent Team GB in acrobatic gymnastics at the World Championships next month.

Lydia, 18 and Jess, 13, have trained at Evoke gymnastics in Swindon since they were ten and six respectively and two weeks ago the girls became British Champions.

Now they are preparing to compete at the World Championships from September 12 to 15 in Portugal.

Lydia’s mum Samantha Mulvey said: “We were absolutely elated when they were selected, it’s what they always wanted and worked so hard for. They have sacrificed so much and we were super proud.

“They were both excited and pleased and there was no expectation that they would be picked. They’ve both been very humble.

“Acrobatic gymnastics is a bit different to other disciplines, ours is not an Olympic sport hence why they’re not at the Olympics now otherwise they probably would be.  

“They have been working together for three years. They were selected for team GB to compete in the European championships in Bulgaria, which they did really well in and came second in qualification.

“Team GB take two partnerships for each category and only one per country can go to finals and the other GB partnership beat them by 0.05. Although they beat every other country they weren’t allowed to progress to the final, which was a real shame for them.

“They still did really well to get that far and for their first time competing for team GB. Since then they’ve gone from strength to strength despite numerous injuries and things that have happened to them.

“It was only just over a year ago that Jess broke her collarbone when she fell during a skill, which was awful. Seven weeks later they competed at the British Championships and got a silver. This year they have done super well achieving golds in every competition they’ve entered. Now they are the current British champions.

“They’ve been up to Lilleshall which is home to all sports for team GB. It’s quite an honour and a privilege and they have a team GB family now.”

The girls, who recently featured on series five of the CBBC programme Gym Stars, are also excelling academically despite their demanding training schedule.

“Some people think it might harm their education because they spend more than 20 hours per week training at the gym. It’s quite the opposite being in such an elite sport. They learn how to manage their time really well and they are naturally competitive - they want to be the best at what they do”, explained Samantha.

“Both Lydia and Jess are A grade students, Lydia has been doing this throughout her GCSEs where she achieved all 7’s, 8’s and 9’s and Jess is on same trajectory.

"Lydia has just finished A Levels and we expect the results to be good. She’s decided not to go to university, there was talk of medical school, but her focus is on being a world champion.

“At the end of the day with gymnastics there’s only a certain time frame you can physically do it, but with education you can revisit it at any age.”

Both families will be flying out to support Lydia and Jess next month and naturally feel a mixture of nerves and excitement.

Samantha added: “Lydia will disagree but it’s harder for the parents, you have absolutely no control.

"You just feel sick and I know quite a few parents who can’t be in the arena or stadium at the same time they are competing. They have to go out because they can’t handle it, it’s too much. But just to be there is an honour.”