A BOY has won his first gold medal for Irish dancing.

At just six years old, Patrick O’Reilly has only been taking classes since the beginning of the year, but received a gold medal at the British Open World Irish Dance Association (WIDA) Championships in Swindon.

Patrick, who lives in Patcham in Brighton, came first in the Jump Two Three category for the under seven -year-olds.

Patrick’s father David O’Reilly said his son’s win was a big surprise.

He said: “We did a double take when they read out Patrick’s number.

“It really made the day, as we got up very early to drive to the competition, and we thought it would be nice for him to get a medal, but weren’t expecting one.

“Patrick was terrifically excited and was a lot more encouraged.”

Mr O’Reilly said hundreds of dancers were competing in the championships, with a dozen in Patrick’s group, who danced in pairs.

“He was on cloud nine for the rest of the day.”

Patrick attends the Carey School of Irish Dancing on Tuesdays at St Thomas More’s Church in Patcham, and has danced at Patcham Duck Fayre and Carden Primary School Summer Fair, where he is a pupil.

The school will be dancing at the Cuckfield Christmas Fair on Friday, December 6 at Queen’s Hall in Cuckfield.