A GROUP of Exmouth baton twilers are celebrating after excelling in a regional championship event. Freespirit, a baton twirling team based in the town, achieved nine top six placings in a competition held in Bournemouth on February 6. A number of the memb

A GROUP of Exmouth baton twilers are celebrating after excelling in a regional championship event.

Freespirit, a baton twirling team based in the town, achieved nine top six placings in a competition held in Bournemouth on February 6.

A number of the members performed so well they qualified to compete at a national championship which takes place at Torbay Leisure Centre in October.

Jane Freeman, the head coach of freespirit, a group which started in April 2008, was delighted with her team's overall performance.

She said: "I was extreamly proud, especially because for a lot of the young girls it was their first competition."

Freespirits' team has a mixture of girls and boys who range in age from two to 26-years-old.

Prior to the event, Jane, from Budleigh Salterton, said the team took part in a number of fundraising activities at Tesco supermarket in Exmouth, to help them purchase new costumes and jackets.

"Their hard work and dedication paid off. We train every Sunday for two hours and one Sunday a month for six hours."

Some of the highlights from the Bournemouth competition included Marie Ryder, 20, being named regional champion. Jane said 10-year-old Morgan William also performed well.

"We would like to thank Tesco in Exmouth for all their help with fundraising," Jane added.