IT was home sweet home for the fencers at Bromsgrove School on Sunday.

The fourth annual Bromsgrove School Challenge boasted a strong field with 117 youngsters taking part - a 30 per cent increase on last year.

The home school's junior squad came second and the seniors were third in their respective events which gave Bromsgrove the overall best team title.

Westminster School was pushed into second place with defending champions Warwick School third.

Bromsgrove School fencing coach Nick Chapman said: "The competition was tough and this was our best performance since the event started.

"There was a friendly and social atmosphere off the piste but the fencing was very competitive."

The tournament covers 11 separate events using two weapons - the epee and foil.

This year 28 schools took part and 44 medals and 17 trophies were awarded.

Some of Bromsgrove School's top performers were: Philippa Kenyon who won the girls' junior epee; Graham Orme who was third in the boys' senior epee and Naomi Taylor who was second in the girls' senior epee.

Matt Edgar, from the lower school, was equal third in the boys' under-12s foil and Doug Taylor came equal third in the under-19s boys' foil.

Doug, Naomi, Graham and Matt have all qualified to fence in the British Youth Championships, in Largs, Scotland, in August.