PUPILS from a Basildon school have made history after winning a national gymnastics competition.

The quartet, from St Anne Line School, triumphed in the under-11 finals of the Milano Gym Championships while representing the east of England.

Year 6 twins Peter and Phillip Odugbile, aged 11, and eight-year-old Year 8 pupils Reece Hudson and Adam Hickey were the first team from the school to win the competition.

Gym coach Lesley Davis-Eyre worked with the youngsters and said winning was a rich reward for their dedication.

“We have entered for years, but it is the first time we have won it and we are delighted with the boys’ achievement,” she said.

“They have been so committed to training and have been coming in early three times a week and staying late in the evening too.

“That dedication has played a huge part in their success,” added Lesley, who is assisted with the coaching by her daughter Lorraine Bright, a former St Anne Line pupil.

The team will now be looking to repeat their success in a national floor and vault championship next month.

The road to the Milano success started in September and featured ten rounds to get through to the regional finals.

After winning that, the St Anne Line team progressed to the national finals in Stoke-on-Trent.

St Anne Line has reached the regional final three times in the past and represented the east of England once before in the national finals. But this was the first time they have won it.