Cheerleaders in Carlisle are jumping for joy after coming home with a cabinet of trophies from their first season of competition.

Teams from Velocity Cheer Academy took to the floor in Manchester at the Future Cheer event last weekend.

They came away with two first places, one third place, a fourth place, a sixth place and a grand champion in some tough categories.

Velocity Cheer Academy is run by Anna Sidney and Megan Small. Megan spent eight years with Carlisle’s former Heroes Cheerleading Club and Anna’s daughter was also a member.

They have run the cheerleading school - at St Nicholas Bridge Business Park - for three years since Heroes closed.

The sport involves dance, gymnastics and stunting.

Anna, 36, said: “This was our first competition of the season and all our athletes went out there and gave it there all and smashed it.

“We had five squads taking part with girls and boys aged four to 24.

“The tiny squad came first and the mini squad third. The youth team came first and were crowned grand champions. The juniors came sixth and the seniors came fourth.

“We were really pleased and the kids had a great time.

“They were hyper on the way home and all wanted to take the trophies into their schools.”

Anna said they enter about four or five competitions a year.

“People travel from all over to take part,” she said.

“We go to Liverpool, Telford and Bournemouth - which is nine hours on the bus.”

Anna said the sport is becoming more recognised.

She said: “The children train hard. We’ve got about 80 on our books and they train twice a week.

“One night for an hour and a half and another night for two and a half hours which can seem like a lot but they all seem to love it.”

The sparkling uniforms for the competition came from America.

Anna said: “They all look very smart and we’re pleased with the uniforms.”

Email velocitycheeracademy@gmail.com for more information about the cheerleading school.