A NEW junior gymnastics club has been set up at Preston College Sports Centre for youngsters between five and 17.

And now coaches David Hanson, who is a qualified gymnastics coach, and his wife Sheila, who is also qualified to teach girls, are looking for budding stars to spring into action and join the fun.

David said: "The sport is 99 per cent training and one per cent competing.

"Most of our members will enter one competition a year, while some of the more talented ones will go on to county level in the future, but it is early days yet.

"However, the club has just affiliated to the British Gymnastics Award Scheme and the youngsters will be able to work towards the various badges and certificates to chart their progress and recognise their hard work."

David, who has been coaching for ten years, added: "Sheila and myself make a good team as we cater for everyone.

"Often it's difficult to get coached sessions for both sexes and men's coaches are rare in Lancashire."

You could say gymnastics runs in the Hanson family, as David and Sheila's two children are also gymnasts.

Daughter Jenny, 18, is in the Lancashire squad and son Christopher, 23, is in the British squad and current English champion on the high bar and vault.