SYNCHRONISED swimming star Sherry Beabey returned from a national competition on Sunday November 26 with a gold medal.

Mrs Beabey, of Avon Road, Malmesbury, won a gold in the duet section of the 8th National Masters Synchronised Swimming Competition held in Colby, Northamptonshire.

Mrs Beabey has only just returned to the sport in the last three years, having been in the National Squad in 1978.

"I love the sport for the music and grace as well as the need to be fit and agile.

"It's a beautiful way to keep the couch potato mentality at bay," she said.

"We did have to work very hard though," she said.

Mrs Beabey's partner in the competition was Michaela Canning of Berkshire.