Kate Morwell-Neave fulfilled a lifetime ambition when she represented Great Britain in a veterans’ fencing tournament in Spain at the weekend - and she came home with a gold medal into the bargain.

The Invicta Fencing Club coach, who lives at Ash, near Canterbury, helped GB to win the ladies’ sabre title.

After defeating top-seeded Italy 5-2 in the semi-finals, GB overcame Germany 5-4 in the final.

Kate, who is sponsored by Space Saver Storage, began fencing when she was school and has won the Kent county and South Epee title on several occasions.

She said: "I took a break from fencing for seven years to start a family, but I returned to the sport two years ago and since then have come second in the National Veterans Epee, fourth in the sabre and 10th in the foil.

"In all my years of fencing I have missed out on GB selection for the Commonwealth Games twice and the Olympics twice by only one place on both occasions.

"Fencing has been my life and I couldn’t be happier to fulfil a lifelong ambition to finally represent my country in a team event - and to win a gold medal as well is just brilliant."