SIX young tennis players from York have won medals at the Special Olympics.

The city’s talented stars won eight gold, silver and bronze medals between them at the Sheffield games, which finished on Friday.

William Farrow, 18, from Haxby, won gold in the singles tournament along with 26-year-old Laura Campbell.

Silver medals were also picked up by Cameron Long, 23, Laura Wells and Emma Lindsay.

And a bronze medal was won by Matthew Brough, 16.

In the men’s doubles, William Farrow and Cameron Long won gold and Laura Campbell and Matthew Brough won gold in the mixed doubles.

Laura Wells and Emma Lindsay are both part of the Tennis Ability team, while their Yorkshire and Humberside teammates represent York Disability Tennis Network and are coached by Andy Crockett.

Mr Crockett set up the club to focus on athletes who are blind or partially sighted, but has expanded it to coach people with a range of learning disabilities.

He said: “It was unbelievable.

“I’m so proud of them and it has been an amazing experience.

“My athletes told me “this is our Olympics” and it definitely feels like that for us because we have been treated so well.

“They have been taken to and from areas every day and it has been a really great experience for everybody.”

The opening ceremony took place on Tuesday at Bramall Lane, the home of Sheffield United FC.

Around 600 athletes paraded around the pitch in front of thousands of spectators, giving the young athletes the chance to take part in a once in a life time experience.

Mr Crockett added: “The opening ceremony at Bramall Lane was immense.

“It’s has been completely fantastic and everyone has been so excited.

“The adrenaline has kept them going.”

Laura Wells is no stranger to success on the tennis court and recently won a tournament in Los Angeles.

She has played tennis successfully for 10 years and won medals up and down the country, including at the 2013 Special Olympics in Bath.