SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club’s Jay Thompson was thrilled by his solid return to action at the British Championships.

The Bowers Gifford based 18-year-old finished seventh in his first all around final in 10 months after recovering from a dislocated elbow.

And the youngster was encouraged by his promising performances at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

“I was really pleased with how it all went,” said Thompson.

“It was the first time I had competed on all six apparatus since the injury so it was great to come through that.

“Making the finals on top of that was just a huge bonus and it was great to get through them as well.”

Thompson finished fifth on the senior pommel horse final, seventh on the parallel bars and high bar, before also impressing in the masters final.

Thompson finished fourth on the high bars, fifth on the pommel and sixth on the parallel bars to complete a hectic and pleasing weekend of action.

“This is a massive step in the right direction for me and it also gives me something to build on as well now,” said the teenager.

“My arm was hurting towards the end and my coach Scott Hann was telling me I could pull out if I wanted to because we had already achieved a lot of what we wanted to do.

“But I was determined to get through it all and I was really pleased that I was able to do that in the end.”

Thompson will now be attempting to build on the successful comeback and will continue to train six days a week at South Essex Gymnastics Club’s Basildon base.

But he does not yet know when he will next be competing.

“I’m not sure when my next competition will be at this stage,” confirmed Thompson.

“I still hope to be able to go to the European Games in June but that will depend on what British Gymnastics made of what happened at the weekend.

“The selection could well be made quite soon and it would be brilliant if I could be involved.”