THE family of Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Andrew Baggaley were there to see his triumph with help from the aptly-named Bolton organisation More Than Gold.

Andrew and his fellow England table tennis team mates clinched the top spot in the final to the delight of his family who have been put up by a Bolton couple.

More Than Gold, a group which has arranged for relatives of athletes visiting the area during the Games to stay with local families, found the Baggaleys a home with a Bradshaw couple -- free of charge.

They have been staying with Glenda and Graham Ostick, both aged 59, who rallied to the call of the Christian-based organisation, based at the Victoria Hall, Bolton, when it appealed for people to open their doors to athletes' families.

The idea was to offer friendship, and a free bed, to families from across the world, including those from some of the poorer countries of the Commonwealth.

Thanks to the generosity of the Osticks, Andrew's brother, 31-year-old Stephen, who is also his coach; mum and dad, Yvonne and Stuart, both aged 57; and Stephen's girlfriend Michelle Johnson, aged 27; left Milton Keynes knowing they had a home-from-home in Bradshaw.

Glenda and Graham Ostick were thrilled to be involved in the More Than Gold scheme and welcomed the Baggaleys with open arms.

Glenda, a member of St Andrew and St George Reformed Church, Bolton, said: "It was a chance to make people visiting the area feel welcome in Bolton and Manchester."

Margaret and David Allen, both aged 62, from Edgworth, have also helped the Baggaleys during their stay in Bolton by providing transport and meals.

Although the scheme was incredibly popular with local families there was not the take up from the athletes' families that had been expected.

Some families who offered their homes to the organisation found their spare rooms remained empty.

Margaret and David Allen, both aged 62 from Edgworth, have also helped the Baggaley's during their stay in Bolton by providing transport and meals.

Stephen said both couples had been "unbelievably helpful" as he watched his brother progress through the tournament. He added: "Everyone in Bolton and Manchester has been incredibly friendly."

Stephen said he could not praise the More Than Gold organisation enough. "For some people it has made the difference between them watching a relative in the Games and not.

"If you were lucky enough to be able to get accommodation in Manchester you were paying upwards from £100 a night.

"By staying with the Osticks we have saved a lot of money but the main thing is that we have been given friendship and great advice about things like where to eat and you can't buy that with money."

Although the More than Gold scheme has been organised by Christians, and in many cases has helped Christians like the Baggaley family, it has also been there for people of different faiths and families without religious beliefs.

Andrew played a huge part in securing the England table tennis team's medal. He is the sport's youngest national champion for 40 years and has played since he was just four-years-old. At 13 he was the youngest ever player to turn professional and he now plays professionally in Sweden.

Stephen said it had been a testing time for the family, watching Andrew play in crucial matches.

He said: "We had a television camera trained on us all the time for our reactions. It was great to get back to Bolton for some privacy and relaxation."

He added that everyone was "very proud" of Andrew and Stuart paid tribute to the organisers of the Games.

Stuart said: "The organisation has been great, right down to the buses taking us to the stadium.

"Everywhere we went people were smiling and offering to help. It has given us a very positive impression of Manchester and Bolton."