Sussex duo Luke Thomson and Bronwyn Powell are celebrating after cleaning up at the latest English Schools Badminton Association tournament.

The pair scooped five gold medals at last weekend's event in Nottingham when Thomson claimed gold in the under-13 singles and the doubles, while Bronwyn took gold in the under-13 singles, doubles and mixed.

The two 12-year-olds have gone from strength to strength since being invited to join the world class start programme last December and they train together at the Triangle in Burgess Hill each week with national coach Wendy Adams.

Thomson is seeded No.1 for his age in England after winning his last five events and unseeded Powell is sure to move up the rankings after clinching a superb treble in Nottingham.

Thomson, who attends Ringmer Community College, has been playing for four years after being introduced to the game by his parents.

His ascent to the top has been swift and he has a host of sponsorships deals to back up his impressive CV.

After disposing of Mark Newbury (5-11, 11-5, 11-5) in a tough semi-final, Thomson recorded a straight sets victory (11-7, 11-9) over Yorkshire's Mark Middleton to clinch the gold medal in the singles.

The youngster, who has aspirations to be a professional, said: "My parents are proud I am No.1 but I prefer not to talk about it.

"I've improved since I've been training with Wendy Adams because I've got more powerful and have more skill.

"I was seeded No.1 and expected to win but it didn't bother me."

Mum Claire Reed takes her son to Macclesfield to compete in the next ESBA competition this weekend.

She added: "I don't have a life anymore. Most weekends we are away but I am a very proud mother.

"Luke is No.1 in England, it is just a question of whether he can stay there.

"He takes it in his stride and I think I handle it worse. I hate watching him but I always want to. I ache all over afterwards because I am so tense, then I unwind with a seven hour journey home!"

The pair's parents often share lifts to training and tournaments to cope with the demands of their children playing badminton five days a week.

Powell, who goes to Heathfield Community College, is just as mad on the sport as her pal Luke.

Unlike Thomson, unseeded Powell was not expect to do so well in Nottingham and her three medals came out of the blue.

She said: "It was quite a surprise. I played well and hit some good clears from the back of the court and some good drop shots. I have been working on my backhand and my footwork with my coach too and that helped.

"Hopefully I can start winning more competitions now and move up the rankings to third or fourth."