SPECIAL Olympics GB came to Barry on the weekend of February 26 and 27 to hold the 2nd National Bocce Championship.

The event, hosted by Special Olympics Wales and Boccia Rollers Club of Barry, was held at Cadoxton Sports Hall and saw athletes from all over Britain taking part.

The chairman of Special Olympics Wales, Jeff Savory, said: "I would like to thank the Barry Club for hosting this event.

"As a new sport in the calendar for Special Olympics it is important that we hold competitions like this to develop the sport.

"Special Olympics Wales plays an important part in the Special Olympics GB calendar hosting many national and regional events throughout the year in Wales.

"Our next event will be Special Olympics Wales Regional Ten-Bowling Competition to be held in Cardiff in April."

On the Saturday, February 26, the single competition took place with six sets of medals on offer.

Division 1: Winner Oliver Johnson (Penarth), 2nd Paul Bumford, 3rd Susan George and 4th Heather Williams all from Boccia Rollers Club, Barry.

Division 2: Winner James Savory, 2nd Jordan Davies Smith and 3rd Lucy George, again all medal winners from Barry. 4th place went to Stephen Beynon (Llanelli) and 5th place to Sonja Pedersen (Cardiff).

Division 3: Lily Minto (Llanelli) won this division with 2nd and 3rd places going to athletes from the North West region. 4th place was John Harry (Cardiff).

Division 4: The only Welsh athlete is this division was Rhian David (Llaneli) who gained a silver medal.

Juniors Division 1: Robert Phibben (Llanelli) being the only Welsh Jr in the competition gained a bronze medal.

Sunday, February 27, saw the pairs take place with three sets of medals available.

Division 1: Heather Williams and Susan George from Barry - who have both been selected to represent GB in the forthcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens - won the Gold medal. This gave them great hope of a medal in Athens in July. 2nd place was taken by James Savory and Jordan Davies Smith and 5th place went to Lucy George and Paul Bumford.

Division 2: Silver Medals went to Sonja Pedersen and Oliver Johnson and a 4th place to Lilly Minto and Stephen Beynon from Llanelli.

Division 3: This division was won by the pairing of Rhian David and Robert Phibben from Llanelli.