Downie retains British national gymnastics title

BECKY Downie retained her British artistic gymnastics title with a series of polished performances in Guildford.

CHAMPION: Nottingham's Becky Downie waited until late to retain her British artistic title in Guildford (Getty Images)

In the absence of seven-time national and double European champion Beth Tweddle, who is focused on gold at the World Student Games in Belgrade, the Nottingham gymnast started favourite.

And she scored 56.100 to place ahead of Becky Wing and Marissa King, although she didn't secure gold until the final piece of apparatus - the floor.

Meanwhile, Nicole Hilbert also retained her national junior title, finishing just ahead of Heathrow team-mate Danusia Francis and Cardiff's Lizzie Beddoe.

"I'm just really happy. I was very nervous to begin, with but once I started that gradually went away and I was delighted to win," said Hibbert.