The bronze age returned for four St Albans fencers at the British Youth Championship.

Herts Advertiser: Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Thisbie Danford won bronze in the U14 sabre at the British Youth Championship.Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Thisbie Danford won bronze in the U14 sabre at the British Youth Championship. (Image: Archant)

Nathalie Culkin and Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Maya Sutton, Thisbie Danford and Thomas Heath all finished on the third step of the podium in the toughest event on the domestic circuit.

Herts Advertiser: Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Maya Sutton on the podium after winning bronze in the U12 sabre at the British Youth Championship.Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Maya Sutton on the podium after winning bronze in the U12 sabre at the British Youth Championship. (Image: Archant)

The PDFA trio all took their medals in the sabre event, Sutton's in the U12 category and both Danford and Heath at U14s.

Herts Advertiser: Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Tom Heath won bronze in the U14 sabre at the British Youth Championship.Paul Davis Fencing Academy's Tom Heath won bronze in the U14 sabre at the British Youth Championship. (Image: Archant)

Samuel Ryder Academy's Culkin's medal was also at U14 but in the foil discipline.

In total over 2,000 fencers were in Sheffield competing for the title of national champion

Culkin said: "I slipped three times in my semi-final trying to get through her defence and got picked off each time.

"Hopefully, I can put things right in the England Youth Championships next month.

Coach Leo Suarez said, "Nathalie's a good listener and quick to turn things round on the piste, if something's not working.

"She is not afraid to work hard in an attempt to close the gap on gold which can only be good for British fencing."