A PAIR of North Yorkshire sisters have been celebrating a family success after they both claimed medals at the British Judo Council National Championships in Kettering.

Georgia and Lucy Robinson, who live in Picton, near Northallerton, have only been taking part in judo for 18 months, but have quickly risen through the national rankings, along with their younger sister, Sadie.

Georgia, who is nine, was crowned national champion as she won a gold medal in the 40-44kgs category for eight and nine-year-olds.

Lucy, who is 12, also made the national finals, winning a silver medal in the 52-100kgs category for judokas between the age of ten and 12.

The pair train with the FIJ Sportif Judo club, run by instructor Glynn Fidgeon, which has classes in Northallerton and Catterick.

They became interested in the sport when Mr Fidgeon ran a series of introductory classes at Appleton Wiske Primary School a year-and-a-half ago, and have achieved national success despite competing against rivals who have been taking part in the sport for much longer.

They currently train twice a week, and have been selected to take part in an international training camp in Edinburgh.

Their long-term ambition is to compete internationally for Great Britain, with their latest success having confirmed their considerable potential.