TWO young Huddersfield girls are celebrating victory in the annual international Down's Syndrome Swimming Championship.

Joanne Kempley, 14, of Almondbury, won a gold and silver medal and Kelly Robinson, 12, of Lepton, gained a bronze.

The girls travelled to Reading for the championship, staged by the Down's Syndrome International Swimming Organisation, and competed against the world's finest.

Joanne won her gold for front crawl and silver for back crawl. Kelly won bronze for butterfly.

Their coach Gemma Ripley, from Rastrick, said:

"Both Kelly and Joanne are very special swimmers. At just 12 years old Kelly raced against the world champion, who is 27, and was just two seconds slower.

"They work really hard and after this wonderful result I think they will be wanting to train even harder and get better.

"We are now focusing on the next competition in Harrogate in November and next year in Reading.

"I am so proud of them and can't wait to see them win even more medals."