WORLD class gymnasts are to descend on Darwen for the first competition of its kind in almowst 20 years.

Bosses at Darwen Leisure Centre are gearing up for the North West International Trampolining Cup which has just been awarded international status for the first time since it started 18 years ago.

Organised by Blackburn Trampolining club, who are based at the leisure centre, the contest, on Saturday April 7, will now be governed by the International Federation of Gymnastics and is expected to attract about 200 of the highest calibre athletes from all over the world.

Competitors will now have to reach a certain level of ability before they can even enter and the leisure centre will also have to meet standards regarding equipment and the competing environment.

Ten members of Jump UK, the team that trains at Darwen as part of Blackburn Trampolining Club, are hoping for their own share of success in the competition, from which teams from France, Belgium and the Netherlands have already withdrawn due to the continuing foot and mouth crisis. The top class recognition of the '"progressing" Olympic sport has even promoted Darwen team coaches to renew their eight-year search for a more suitable training venue.