COUNTY DURHAM gymnast Amy Tinkler has added the British all-around title to her English crown to cement her growing reputation as the most exciting young talent in the country.

The 15-year-old, who is from Bishop Auckland and a member of South Durham Gymnastics Club, claimed the British title with a series of hugely impressive performances at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Despite having only stepped into the senior ranks this season, Tinkler outshone multiple Commonwealth gold medallist Claudia Fragapane to claim the British title at the first time of asking.

An impressive floor routine was the pick of her all-around displays, but it was her consistency across all disciplines that enabled her to post a total of 56.650 in order to claim the national title.

Fragapane took the silver medal with a finishing score of 55.550, with a fall on the beam robbing her of any chance of overhauling Tinkler’s total.

“It’s amazing, I can’t believe it,” said Tinkler, who had previously been a multiple national champion at junior level. “To be honest, I would have just been happy to go through my routines cleanly, so to win is just unreal.

“The support I’ve had from coaches, friends and team-mates has been incredible – an absolute dream come true. To go from junior to senior champion, I can’t believe it. I’m excited to now hopefully be selected for the European Championships and just continue improving.”

Tinkler, who also claimed the national apparatus title on the floor, is certain to be selected for the British squad at the Europeans in Montpellier next month, and should also be involved in the World Gymnastics Championships, which will take place in Glasgow in October,

Beyond that, she now looks likely to be selected for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where she will have the chance to compete on the biggest stage in sport.