FENCING stars from two Bromley Schools foiled all the opposition when they both captured British team Championship titles.

Hollie Varney, 11, Cassandra Pritchard, 13, and Katie Baggs, 15, of Bishop Challoner in Shortlands were successful in the under-16 foil event, beating four teams from all over the UK.

Sarah Ellis, Emma Hemsley and Katie Dollan, all 13, from Farringtons & Stratford House in Chislehurst also landed a foil championship, in the under-14 category, beating teams from five other schools.

The two-day championships were held at the Kings School Recreation Centre in Canterbury, and besides foil, there were competitions for epee and sabre.

Bishop Challoner's coach Manola Toschi-Restivo said her three pupils all started fencing at the school, and practice twice a week, at the school club as well as the Bromley Fencing Club.

“It's a wonderful achievement,” she said. “Hollie came third in the Kent Championships in her age group and Cassandra was county champion last year.

The girls, who all live in the Bromley borough, are looking forward to further success in the South-East Section Championships beind held at Darrick Wood School on Sunday.

The championship won by the girls from Farringtons & Stratford House was the second gained by pupils from the school. They won gold two years ago and took the silver last year.

Emma, the youngest member of the team, said: “It was really good fun taking part, but even more exciting to take home a gold medal for myself and my school.”