Tap attack pupils in Swindon have returned home with both gold and silver medals while representing team GB at the European Tap Championships.

The Tap Attack team travelled to Prague, Czech Republic, to compete in the International Dance Organisation (IDO) European Tap Championship in June, going up against dancers from thirteen other countries.

The gold went to Lucy Jones from Wilkes Academy for the adult female solo section and silver and gold medals were won by Mollie De Boer and Charlotte Jones in the junior small group, and Kai Scanlan who won silver in the adult male solo section.

Charlotte, who goes to Dorcan Academy with Mollie and has been dancing with Tap Attack for three years, said: “Winning is just the most amazing unbeatable feeling, I was literally on top of the world! I was so proud of every single one of my teammates and it was a way to give back to all of the incredible people at Tap Attack who made it possible for us.

" Standing at the side of the stage and hearing them call out your dance is so overwhelming and to begin with I couldn’t believe it and then having your medal hung around your neck, and singing the national anthem on the podium, it’s unreal."

Mollie added: “It’s such a great feeling to hear that you've won and that all the hard work you put in has paid off. The months of practising and cleaning the routine were all worth it in the end.

“After seeing all the amazing routines you're up against, hearing that you've won makes you feel as if you've done the best you could ever do. It's such a rush of happiness and relief when you hear your name and get the medal.

Mrs Barham, head teacher at Dorcan Academy, said: “These two girls are amazingly talented and a credit to the school; both devote as much time to their studies as they do to their dancing. I see a glittering future ahead for both of them.”

Tap Attack, which took a team to compete at the World Tap Championships in November, was created by Guinness World Record breaking tap dancer Jo Scanlan and co-founder Dean Magri.

Jo told the Adver: "The European championships are a new competition to us and we wanted to go as so many hours practice are put into the worlds and then they don't often get to do the dances again. Its' absolutely been worth it, the hardest work was in the autumn term as we prepared for the world championships so this time preparation was a little less stressful!"