CHEERLEADERS have brought silverware home to Dorset after tumbling to the top in a national competition.

Distinction Cheer and Dance of Dorchester was successful in multiple categories at the ICC Welsh Open competition in Newport - including three first-place wins.

Firsts went to Hattie and Honey in the Duo category and Ellie in the Junior Solo category.

The Distinction Duchesses junior squad also fought off tough competition to win first place, and the Distinction Princesses youth squad came fourth in their category.

The girls come from Dorchester and surrounding villages and towns to train at the YMCA gym hall every Sunday.

Group leader Charlotte Webster said: “Cheer is a growing sport with squads all over the country and competitions getting harder with higher standards expected.

“There is a big emphasis on teamwork – the girls literally lift and catch each other so having trust is very important.”

Following the recent success, the squad now has another competition coming up in Cardiff at the beginning of April.

For more information about the group visit ‘Distinction Cheer and Dance’ on Facebook.