YOUNG gymnasts in Denbigh and Ruthin have been flying high alongside a TEAM GB Olympic medalist after a special meet-and-greet last week.

Over 150 gymnasts from Denbigh and Ruthin Gymnastics Club (DRGC) were joined by Daniel Purvis, Team GB bronze-medal winning gymnast at the London 2012 Olympics, who joined club members and volunteers for a gymnastics display to celebrate the Commonwealth Games’ 30th anniversary.

Purvis, whose niece and nephew attend the club, represented Scotland at this year's games, held at the Gold Coast, Australia in April.

Parents, family and friends congregated at the Clwyd House Gymnastics Centre, Denbigh in the summer heat on Saturday, July 8 to see the club’s members take part in a mini-Commonwealth Games, playing basketball, cricket, cheerleading, gymnastics and athletics.

Purvis joined in the performances, which were followed by a presentation in which the Olympian commended the club's 60 coaches and volunteers with prizes for their achievements and hard work.

Purvis has previously won a bronze-medal for Team GB in the men’s team gymnastics at the London 2012 Olympics – the British men’s gymnastics team to win a medal in 100 years. He was also part of the silver-winning Scotland gymnastics team at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014.

Jasmin Jones, head coach at DRGC, said: “Daniel is a good friend of Ruthin and Denbigh Gym Club and very much enjoyed doing gymnastics with our children and tumbling alongside them on their fantastic facilities.

“It was fantastic to see all the support the children have from parents and how the children have progressed recently.

"It was the first time many of the children have been involved in a display by the club so it was great to have them included.

The club has 500 members in total and runs with the help of 60 volunteers.

Mark Young, councillor for Denbigh Lower and owner of Denbigh Chocolate Shop, said: "I was delighted to join Henllan Bread in supporting the event, who donated their lovely bread and cakes.

"The sport is very important for youngsters so it is fantastic they have the club.

"To have over 500 members and 60 volunteers is amazing and shows that it is a fantastic community club."

If you would like more information about Ruthin & Denbigh Gymnastics Club and the classes we run, please visit our new website, www.ruthin-denbighgymnasticsclub.co.uk