A SIX-strong British gliding team, all based at Lasham Gliding Club near Alton, competed in the 19th FAI European Gliding Championships, held at Moravská Trebová in the Czech Republic.

And this week they returned home with a coveted silver medal.

Steve Jones, 49, from Hungerford – a seasoned competitor at world level with several European titles under his belt – and co-pilot Gary Coppin, 52, who lives in Medstead, secured silver in the 20m Class, flying an Arcus-T glider.

In the Club Class, Gerrard Dale of Reading, another Lasham Gliding Society member, took to the skies in his Glasflugel Libelle and came 14th out of 31.

Ayala Truelove, competing in her first European Championship, also in a Glasflugel Libelle, was 21st in the Club Class.

In the Standard Class, Howard Jones flew his Discus 2a into 17th place out of 27, while Southampton man George Metcalfe piloted his ASW28 to 25th.

The British (Lasham) team thanked their sponsors, including British Airways and Lasham Gliding Society, who helped make the trip possible.