THE Studley Blue and White Skippers have returned from the European Championships in Denmark after proving they have come on leaps and bounds from last year.

The 18-and-over team came fourth in their section, being robbed of the silver medal as this was the first year America and Canada were allowed to compete for medals, and they took the first two positions.

The 12-14 age group came sixth in their closely scored round.

The other group came in eighth in their first ever competition abroad.

Spokesman Sue Dale said: "They did extremely well. The competition was much harder than last year but all our members improved their scores.

"As scores get better we are getting nearer to gaining medals, as this year's performances proved."

For more information on the competition in Denmark, visit www.bwrs.org

While at the championships, the British team were asked to put in a bid for hosting the competition next year, which was accepted.

The competition is due to take place in Cardiff during the first week of the school summer holidays.

The Studley skippers are due to take part in another competition in Austria soon and are holding a fund-raising day at Safeway in Redditch on Saturday.

Money raised will help send six individual skippers to the competition who qualified through the British nationals.

Anybody who wants to take up skipping can join in the fun by meeting between 3.30-4.30pm on Fridays at Studley Junior School. For more details, call, Sue on 854194.

Adults also have a chance to get in on the act with a skipping workshop being organised by the British Rope Skipping Association.

E-mail sjdcon@tesco.net for more details.