FOUR Runcorn schoolgirls have seen their confidence soar since they discovered gymnastics.

The two sets of sisters who all live in Sandymoor have achieved success all over the country.

Claudia Wheelhouse, aged 10, and her sister, Sienna, aged seven, and Amelia Mcintosh, aged 15, and her sister, Erin, aged eight, train together at St Helens rhythmic gymnastics club.

Claudia, a national gymnast, came third in the north west championship and achieved the same result in the Welsh Open. She only started when she was six.

She attends Moore Primary School with her sister and starts at Sandymoor School in September.

Sienna competes in the zone squad which covers the north west and Scotland.

Their mum, Clare, a press officer at Riverside College is married to Mike, who runs an Urban Trike business in Runcorn.

Clare said: “We are very proud of them. Claudia absolutely loves it and lives for it. She trains 13 hours a week.

“It takes a lot of dedication. You have to be very strong and flexible. She is ambitious.

“It has made her realise that if you work hard you can achieve.

“They have to compete in front of 10-20 judges.”

Claudia, who is also a ballet dancer, hopes to compete in the British championships in the coming years.

Amelia has also competed in the British Open, Welsh Open and north west championship and began when she was eight and hopes to join the British squad.

Erin followed at four.

Their mum, Lisa, a business development manager, is married to Ian, a health and safety manager.

She said: “It has given the girls confidence, something to excel and focus on outside of school.

“It has opened their eyes to new opportunities.”