Two Kent tenpin bowlers returned from international duty with England at the European Youth Championships in Finland with silver medals.

Kirsty Belchem and Chelsie Pyle, from Whitstable YBC, were part of the six-girl squad who travelled to Helsinki to take part in the 10-day extravaganza.

After a practice day and the opening ceremony the girls embarked on 18 games of competition in the doubles, triples and team competitions over four days, with two rest days worked in.

After battling against some strong opposition in the doubles, Belchem hit a new personal best series of 695 as she finished 24th while Pyle finished in 17th with a 187 average.

In the trios the pair teamed-up with Laura Ellis from Dorset to finish in ninth place with a combined team average of 199.

In the team event the girls pulled together to help England win silver.

Belchem led the way, hitting the highest average in the team, 216, while Pyle weighed-in with an average of 189.

They pushed the Swedish side, who were among the favourites for the title, into the bronze spot with Holland taking gold.

In the overall individual competition Belchem finished a highly-respectable 17th to qualify for the masters stage, but went out in the first round.