A team of young people from the Lancaster District is back home celebrating a haul of 85 medals at the International Youth Games.
The team took part in the Games in Almere, Netherlands, over the past week - the first since 2019 due to the Covid pandemic.
Thirty-six young people from our local area competed in athletics, rowing and swimming and brought back 33 gold medals, 31 silver and 21 bronze.
Lancaster also had a team of dancers who trained with the other cities for a performance in the opening ceremony and there was also a theatre production during the closing ceremony.
The Games are due to be held in Lancaster next year.
Photos are courtesy of the International Youth Games - Lancaster, Facebook page.
Chris Haggan, secretary of the Lancaster International Youth Games Committee, said: "When we first arrived in Almere there were a lot of nervous people, not knowing what to expect in the coming days.
"They settled in quickly and had a fantastic week of sport and culture, and made many new friends. They are looking forward to meeting up with their new friends when Lancaster hosts the Games in 2023.
"Since 2017, the Lancaster team has been led by a volunteer team, and with no funding from local government. Our main supporters in the past have been Sport Lancaster, and the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent fund (funding is not available from the Duchy in 2023). But the volunteer team have pledged the Games will go ahead in 2023 in Lancaster."
Councillor Joyce Pritchard, mayor of Lancaster, joined the team on the trip to the Netherlands.
Lancaster competes at the Games against its twin towns; the others being Almere, Rendsburg in Germany and Aalborg in Denmark.
The committee is made up of local sports leaders who came together to keep Lancaster involved in the Games after Lancaster City Council withdrew funding in 2016.
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
