Northern Ireland has much to celebrate after trumping the rest of the UK at the National Sea Cadet Regatta in London recently, with a medal haul of 22 gold, nine silver and nine bronze.

Among the winners were Luke Fitzhenry and Afton Fitzhenry from Lisburn, who became UK Sea Cadet Champions in their canoeing categories, the Ulster Star reports.

Luke took gold in the junior mixed doubles sprint with teammate Gracious Philips, and just missed out on first place in the individual sprint.

Meanwhile Afton topped the senior mixed doubles sprint with Adam Campell and the senior girls individual sprint, adding a silver medal in the two-mile marathon.

The NI team also brought home the regatta's top prize, the Armitage Trophy, for the first time this century, along with the Ulster Cup for senior girls, the Barbara Simpson Cup for junior girls and the Nottingham Cup for junior boys.