HARTFORD School of Gymnastics are bursting with pride after Charlie Welsh won a national title on Sunday.

Not only did the 14-year-old win his category overall, he collected an additional four gold and two silver medals for his work on apparatus at the British Gymnastics Disabilities Championships in Leicester.

“This is his first competition at this level, and he has proved how determined he is to succeed,” said coach Charlie Oakes.

“Charlie has been working extremely hard to overcome difficulties he experiences during his training in the gym.

“We are all very proud of him for such a great achievement.”

Charlie won the men’s artistic junior disabilities category B with a score 6.433 ahead of second place.

"Golds were earned on the pommel, rings, vault and high bar, while he was second on the floor and parallel bars.

He has been invited to compete as a guest at the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club Disabilities Competition in February.

Senior coach Michelle Oakes spoke more about Charlie’s success and his determination.

“Charlie has Panda Syndrome which affects the brain commands to his legs resulting in a limited ability to stand and walk,” she explained.

“He shows great determination to achieve things and occasionally has to be reminded to take a break!

“He demonstrated this in his last training session before his competition, when he fell off the rings in mid routine only to then pick himself up and ask to be put back onto the rings so he could finish his routine.

“Charlie came to our club six months ago. He has learned how to vault and perform double leg circles on the pommel horse plus new skills on high bar.

“He is inspirational.”