NINE Worcester veteran stars competed in the World Masters Track and Field Athletics Championships for Great Britain in Lyon, France.

The city’s medal haul was kickstarted by Iris Holder, who competed in the women’s 70 to 74 age category and seized the silver medal in the triple jump.

Holder’s achievement also confirmed her place as number one on the United Kingdom all-time list for her age category in the discipline.

Her performance prompted a surge of medals for Worcester athletes.

Richard White competed in the men’s 55 to 59 age category with his mighty efforts in the heats and semi-final rounds of the 400-metre hurdles ensuring a final place.

He gave the cheering British team a nail-biting time watching him fight to win a momentous gold medal and become world champion in a time of one minute 2.32 seconds.

White’s display moved him to number two on the UK all-time list for his age group in the race.

Barry Swindells ran a brave race in the 1,500m to snatch a silver medal in the men’s 75 to 79 age category.

A few days later, Holder completed a leg in the 4x100m relay.

Dropping down to the women 65 to 69 age category, she helped the GB team earn a bronze medal.

Laurence Oldfield competed in the men’s 70 to 74 category, including both the 4x400m and 4x100m relays.

His leg in the 4x400 got the team into a wonderful position and they took a silver medal.

Then an exciting race saw Oldfield run a leg in the 4x100m relay and he obtained a magical gold medal as the GB team became 2015 world champions.

Worcester had five other competitors in the GB squad in Nick Hitchings, Ian Bowles, Mel Garland, Marion Loveridge and Jan Timberlake.

The athletes put Worcester Athletic Club on to the world map as collectively they won more world championship medals than the Jamaican national team in total.

Many are now looking forward to the European Indoor Championships in Ancona, Italy, in March 2016.