Talented young tumbler, Andrew Ayre, has won his second regional title just two years after taking up trampolining.

Andrew, aged 11, a student at Bishop Barrington School beat older boys to become the Under 13 Northern Champion competing at Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields in November.

Last year he was the Under 11 champion and went on to compete in the national finals at Birmingham, finishing in 11th place. Andrew was also the fifth best in the British Schools’ Championship, whilst a pupil at Escomb Primary School.

He became hooked on the sport after spending birthday money on a 12ft trampoline for the back garden at his home in Bishop Auckland.

“I really enjoyed it. I just love trampolining, it is brilliant,” said Andrew, a keen gymnast before his love for the trampoline took over. He practises at Bishop Barrington Sports Hall on Thursday evenings and Sedgefield Springers trampoline club at Ferryhill Leisure Centre on Saturdays and Sundays.

His mother, Judith, said: “He would go on the trampoline all day if he could. He has done really well. We are really proud of him.”

His father, Steven, added: “He is really dedicated to the sport. He has won almost every competition he has entered even against older boys. We have high hopes for him.”

Andrew’s aim to go as far as he can in the sport he loves. He would love to compete in the Olympics, however his Olympic ambitions will have to wait until 2016 as he will be too young to compete in London in 2012.