A SCOTTISH tug of war team were ­pulling in the right direction when they won four gold medals at a prestigious competition.

The eight-strong Scottish indoor team have returned home as winners from the Tug of War Federation's Indoor Championships in Ireland.

Digging in their heels to take home gold in the 640kg clubs competition, they also won in the 560kg, 600kg and 680kg groups of the international competition.

In the 600kg group they managed to beat the Chinese Taipei team, a ­professional outfit sponsored by the Chinese government.

Each member has to be within the weight category for each of the categories - 560kg, 600kg, 640kg and 680kg.

Team-mates Graeme Hendry, from Stow, in the Borders, and Tom Nelson, from Stewarton, Ayrshire, have now accumulated 14 and 15 titles respectively, the highest amount that anyone in the sport holds.

From their first success at the 1999 championships, the Scottish team has brought home at least one medal from each competition.