YOUNGSTERS at Dorchester YMCA Gymnastic Clubs will start the new year with an added spring in their step following a busy and successful few months.

The club has been involved in a number of competitions, displays and events recently.

A group of gymnasts from the club's disabilities section all won medals at the Poole Open Competition before the artistic boys and girls participated in the Dorset Tumbling Championships.

The event saw Naomi Finucane claim a bronze medal in her age group, with Warwick Dabbs and Kate Braidwood taking home silver medals and Chester Downton-Barlow being awarded gold.

Girls from the rhythmic squad competed at events in Bath and Cardiff, winning a large haul of medals.

In Cardiff all five girls competed their hoop and free routines and won two medals each.

The artistic girls travelled to Plymouth to compete in the South West Regional Grades, this time the challenge was to score enough points to pass their grade. Gymnasts with particularly high marks were awarded a commendation or even a distinction.

Grace Longdon, Poppy Pond, Isabel Palacios, Sophie Harper and Hollie Tidswell were all commended in their respective grades while Naomi Finucane and Isabelle Maslen claimed distinctions.

The rhythmic gymnasts also headed to Portsmouth to take part in a GymFusion event, competing against fellow youngsters from across southern England.

There was fun closer to home as the club held a Onesie Week last month, with youngsters paying to come to their classes in their onesie and raising more than £220 that will go towards a new sound system for the gym.

The club's Christmas Display saw members and staff put on a show on a fun packed evening that also include a raffle, which was supported by Tesco, Weymouth Pavilion and the Weymouth Sea Life Centre.

The event raised £100 that will go towards new equipment for the gym.

Centre manager Karen Hofen said Dorchester YMCA is always looking for new coaches and helpers and, while there is a waiting list for most classes, anyone interested in getting their child involved is also urged to get in touch by emailing dorchester-ymca@hotmail.co.uk