Athletes and coaching staff from Norwich Canoe Club crossed the English Channel to compete in the Gent International Marathon in Belgium, as part of a British development squad.

Coaches Dyson Pendle and Kerry Duff were on hand to provide the team with much needed advice and assistance, for this would be some of the paddler's first trip abroad.

In the girls' race Stacey Terry, 16 from Orminston Victory Acadamy, faced tough competition from a field containing two previous world champions and did well to finish in third place.

'I thought the race went really well, I have improved a lot over the year so it was a great achievement coming third,' said Terry.

In the boys' event Ashley Nobbs, 15 from Thorpe St Andrew High School, had a good race, gaining valuable experience among a top class group of paddlers.

Albert Hicks, who competed at the World Championships last year, put in a typically determined performance to finish second.

For more information about Norwich Canoe Club, visit www.norwichcanoeclub.org