Budding young gymnasts from around Tendring are queuing up to join in new pilot sessions being staged in the District.

Clacton Leisure Centre (CLC) is running ten week courses for 4 to 7 year olds and 8 to 11 year olds on Saturdays starting in the New Year.

Although the course for the younger children is now fully booked with a waiting list, there are a number of spaces still available for the older group, who will be training from 12.30pm -1.30 pm.

The sessions are being provided following requests from parents over the past year.

Jeanette Thomasson, Manager at CLC, said: "The take up has been very good and hopefully we will be full for both sessions by the time we start in the New Year.

"We were regularly being asked where children could take up gymnastics so we decided to meet the demand ourselves."

The cost of the course is £45 per child for the ten weeks.

Sessions are also staged at Brightlingsea Sports Centre on Tuesdays from 4pm to 6pm.

Stephen Mayzes, TDC's Cabinet Member for Tourism and Community Life, said that the Council aims to provide a varied range of activities and sports from all its centres.

"This is a new pilot initiative aimed at improving the health and well-being of our residents," he said.

"We look to put on courses and sessions for all ages and this one is aimed at young people. It has come about because we have been asked where children can receive gymnastic coaching and we are meeting a need."

Anyone wanting further information, or to book a place, on the courses should contact CLC on 01255 686688.

6/12/11