RUBERY gymnast Abigail Walker has exceeded her expectations to be crowned a West Midlands champion.

Abigail, aged 12, won the West Midland County Championships at FIG (Federation of International Gymnastics) regional level in Birmingham last Saturday.

Her mother Jacqueline said: "She wasn't expecting to win, but was hoping to finish in the top four."

It is the second success in a week for Abigail after she and brother Darren won gold and silver respectively at the Birmingham Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, July 5.

Abigail competed on the bars, beams, floor an vault in the artistic section to be crowned Birmingham FIG champion.

Eleven-year-old Darren, who only competes in this one event during the year, overcame a sprained ankle, injured playing football, to compete on the vault and floor to finish runner-up in the over 13s boys.

Abigail, who trains at least four times a week with the Birmingham Flames, has represented the West Midlands at the national finals and competed for the British Senior Girls Schools so far this year. Darren, with the Birmingham Tornadoes, trains once a week.

Mrs Walker added: "They both support each other a lot and there's no jealousy at all."