A trio of athletes from Keighley picked up nine medals in this month's Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai.

Martin Sands, Simon Waggett and Katie Whittaker, who all competed in the power-lifting event, returned to England early on Monday morning.

Sands, from Riddlesden, brought back four gold medals. Waggett, from Silsden, won four silvers and Whittaker, from Long Lee, won a bronze medal.

Whittaker picked up a bronze medal for her efforts in the 67.5kg bench lift competition. Waggett took all four silver medals in the equivalent male category, while Sands made it a personal clean sweep with four gold medals in all the male 90kg events.

They were among nine competitors chosen from the Yorkshire and Humber region to represent Great Britain in Shanghai.

Completing the cluster of representatives of West Yorkshire was John Sweeting, 45, of Wrose, Shipley, who came away with fourth place finishes in the ten pin bowling team, singles and doubles competitions.

Barry Thorne, an activities and funding officer for Bradford Sports, said: "They've done fantastically well - I'm delighted for them. Their coach, Kelly Moore, is over the moon and the athletes themselves are on top of the world."

He said the power lifters were treated superbly during their stay in China and received plenty of coverage on Chinese television stations.

He said it was a shame the national media in Britain had done so little to cover their success.

He added the athletes had faced very stiff competition in their event, though received plenty of support from their parents - most of whom were able to travel with them.

Keighley Town Council Mayor, Councillor Brian Hudson, who greeted the athletes on their return, said: "It is a big boost for Keighley for them to come away with so many medals and we do appreciate their achievements.

"It just shows how well they have been supported by their parents and Bradford Sports."

The ten-day games attracted nearly 7,500 athletes from 164 countries. They took part in 25 disciplines, including kayaking, gymnastics, judo, tennis, cycling and roller-skating.

The Great Britain team has brought back a total of 84 gold, 83 silver and 57 bronze medals.