LOCAL athletes from Worcestershire Special Olympics shone at the National Games in Leicestershire.

A 34-strong group from the club represented the West Midlands and grabbed an impressive haul of medals.

Members from Kidderminster helped the club earn 15 gold, 16 silver and 22 bronze medals in swimming, athletics, gymnastics and tennis.

Steven Boyce got the ball rolling from the Wyre Forest contingent, winning two golds in the 50 metres butterfly and 100m freestyle races in the pool.

Joshua Whale added more silverware when he came first in the 50m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke.

Gary Turnbull, from Kidderminster, won gold in the long jump and silver in the 100m, while Ellie Jones came second in the long jump to earn silver and bronze in soft ball.

Jordan Watt won bronze medals in the 50m and the standing long jump, while Matthew Jones won a silver in the 50m and bronzes in the standing long jump and soft ball throw.

Meanwhile, Martin Jones won a bronze in the shot.

In gymnastics, Emma Powell had a successful debut by winning two silver, on floor and bar and a brace of bronzes on the beam and all-round categories.

Tom Keeley, also in his first major competition, won gold on the rings and two silvers in the floor and vault sections.

He also picked up a bronze for his performance on the pommell horse.

Many members of Special Olympics Worcestershire recorded new personal best times.