EIGHT young Bury diving stars have gone international to compete in the Irish Open Diving Championships.

The divers from Bury Dragons Diving club attended the Championships at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin, competing in number of events against divers from around the globe, over three days from November 10 to 12.

Steph Belk, 22, Sadie Hartley, 14, Iain St-John, 18, Amy Wright, 10, Gracie De-Maine, 14, Bridie Faughey, 14, Emily Faughey, 17, and Deena Kaye, 15, competed in events on the one meter and three meter spring boards, and the five meter platform.

For Skills divers Emily, Bridie, Deena, and Gracie, and Age Group diver Amy the Championships was their first Nationals event.

There was a close call for Steph, one of the club's Senior divers, when she only just made the event, as delays to her flight meant her plane landed at 9am on the Friday, just one hour before the competition was due to start.

But fortunately, with a mad dash from the airport, and a quick change into her diving costume in the minibus driving down the roads of Dublin, Steph was on the boards and ready to compete at 9.45.

Although no medals were won by Bury Dragons at the event, the weekend was great experience for the divers, with personal bests achieved by Iain and Gracie.

Anthony Hilton-casey, head coach at Bury Dragons Diving Club, said: "Yes it's nice to win medals, but sometimes it's just great to compete.

"I am proud of the way the divers performed, it was brilliant to watch them in that environment.

"We are hoping to go back next year and now we know what we need to do and what we are up against."

The diving competition season is now all but over for 2017, but after an easing off for Christmas, Mr Hilton-casey said that the club will soon be starting preparations for next year and hope to compete in as many competitions as possible, including a planned return to the Irish Open.