YOUNG Tavistock diver Ben Bluett's success means he has been moved up from novice to the age group category.

It now means the real diving starts and he is now learning to somersault in all four directions and also to twist.

The Luton Challenge in Bedfordshire was his first competition at this level. Ben is aged 8 but as there is no 8-9 yrs category he has to compete against the 10-11 year old boys.

Ben was entered in three competitons - one metre spring board, 3m spring board and 5m platform. The standard of diving was high with teams from Luton, Sheffield, Leeds, and Bradford and he did exceptionally well. 

Ben's best result was the 5m platform event coming fifth out of the field of 11. The final took place later in the evening and he took the medal for sixth place overall — a superb result.