Dynamo School of Gymnastics’ Commonwealth Games gold star Kelly Simm has won a national title.

The Southampton Solent University student, main picture, has been crowned English floor champion, while she was also runner-up on vault and third on the beam at the championships, held at Loughborough University.

Simm’s highlights included a Tkatchev to Tkatchev linked on bars – a combination never seen in women’s gymnastics.

She also competed a full-in back out off beam, a skill only performed by the current world champion.

The championships also counted as a trial event for Simm ahead of the upcoming European Championships which take place next month in Montpellier, France.

First year senior gymnast Danielle Barnes, head girl at Sholing Technology College, finished a creditable 17th overall.

She competed new skills on all apparatus to finish with an overall score of 44.95, and was fourth on vault in the individual apparatus competition.

The first day of the championships saw Dynamo’s Espoir girls and boys compete.

Tayah Askham, a student at St Anne’s School, scored 40.55, placing 45th, while Olivia Essex, a student at Thornden School, finished in 47th with 40.10. Leah Mitchell, a student at Bitterne Park School, finished in 48th with 39.80 and Ella Beattie-Edwards, a student at Hamble Community Sports College, finished 51st with 35.65.

Sydney Letchford, a student at Wildern School, was unable to compete due to illness.

Lyle Harry, a student at Henry Cort Community College, took part in the boys competition.

He finished in 32nd with 52.30 but injured his knee in his warm up on floor and was unable to compete that apparatus.

In the junior girls event, Amy Layzell, a student at Kings’ School, finished 31st with an all-around score of 42.45 after completing a clean competition.

Casey Spry, a student at Henry Cort Community College, finished with 39.20 in 36th, after putting out a new bar routine.

Dynamo head coach Debbie Richardson said: “All the gymnasts showed that they have moved forward in the new competition season with some upgrades in their routines.

“Now they can look forward to performing some world class elements in the Challenge Cup and continuing to work towards selection for the British squad.

“Kelly is established in the top three, and is hoping for selection for the European Championships in April and ultimately be part of the team for the World Championships in Glasgow.”