WHILE Great Britain's gymnasts are tumbling and flying in search of medals at the Olympic Games, a younger generation are enjoying their first steps in the sport.

Every Friday, Millom Recreation Centre becomes gymnastics central as dozens of youngsters aged between five and 14 leap into action.

The centre, which runs a successful club throughout the year, is building on that with weekly two-hour workshops for beginners and more experienced athletes.

Vault, floor and beam are all explored by the children, under the guidance of club coaches, who have been thrilled to see both old and new faces attending.

Millom Recreation centre's Kimberley Pattinson, who is their pre-school gymnastics coach, said the sessions have been a big success so far.

“We use the different apparatus – the air track, the bars, the vault, the floor and the beam – they're all different activities on each of them,” said Pattinson, who added between 25 and 30 youngsters have been at each Friday workshop.

“We have some of the club members from the Saturday who have been coming on the camp for more experience, but new faces as well. It's good for people who want a taster session for their child to see if they like it before they enrol them for 10 week on the classes.

“We've had a few enrolments already from the children on the camp after they've had the taster. They're definitely all enjoying it.”

The classes will continue every Friday until September 2 and are open to children aged five and up. The £8 is for a two-hour sessions, which last from 1pm until 3pm and places must be pre-booked. For more information, or to book a place, call 01229 774985.