REDDITCH youngsters had an impressive international debut for Great Britain at a dinghy sailing competition last month.

Liz Peacock, 16, Rick Peacock, 14, Helen Duncan, 15, and Richard Hitchman, 16, all travelled with the national youth squad to compete in the Topper World Championships in Northern Ireland.

Hero of the four, who all sail at Redditch Sailing Club, was Rick Peacock who came second out of around 200 entrants at the end of the week-long event, although the result was not without controversy.

Rick led on points but was disqualified for hitting the start boat on the penultimate race - a decision he tried to contest. He had hoped to take the championship on the final race only to see it abandoned due to fog.

"I thought that if I finished in front during the last race I would win but then the race didn't happen. I was gutted," he said.

His sister Liz added: "Everyone knew that he should have won."

Rick was presented with a bronze trophy for his final placing and has now set his sights on the Olympics. Gwil Jones an adult member of the sailing club who travelled with the team said: "He's got to be looking good for four years time. To achieve what he's done in the world championships is very good."

Gwil also praised Liz, Helen and Richard, who came 21st, 61st, and 70th respectively. Helen's achievement was particularly impressive coming in her first year of competitive racing.

"The youngsters at the club at the moment are the most promising we've ever had, there is a really high standard of sailing at Redditch," he said.

The international competition is held every two years but all four team-mates sail regularly at the Arrow Valley Lake club and compete in open competitions around the country.