A Beverley gymnast will compete in next year's Special Olympics.

Mary Nolan, 18, found out last week that she had been selected for the Great Britain team.

She will be one of 14 gymnasts taking part in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens next year.

She said: "I'm really excited and chuffed.

"When I first got the letter I thought 'whoa' and then it gradually sunk in and I thought 'wow'.

"My parents are really proud and I think it will be a good experience for me."

Mary, who has Down's Syndrome, has been a member of the Special Olympics City of Hull gymnastic and swimming group, which offers sports training for people with learning disabilities, for more than a decade.

In the past, she has won medals in gymnastics at regional and national levels and swimming at a regional level.

The City of Hull group has an impressive record of members going on to compete in the national team, with at least one athlete being selected for the past four Special Olympics World Games.

Group secretary Judy Burdass said: "We're proud of ourselves because we're all volunteers. It's very rewarding and has opened lots of doors for people.

"Our athletes achieve at their own levels and often go on to great things."

In May, Mary will head to Luxembourg to compete in the Special Olympics European Gymnastics Tournament.

A total of 215 athletes and coaches make up the national team for the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which will run from June 25 to July 4 next year.

The Special Olympics are always held one year before the Olympic Games.

Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organisation for people with learning disabilities, providing year-round sports training and competitions for people aged eight and over.