WHEN Alun Pugh was asked to go and hang out with some gymnasts, he jumped at the chance!

The Assembly minister for sport dropped into a Valleys gymnastics club and gave it a ringing endorsement this week.

Mr Pugh visited the Cwmcarn Gymnastics club on Monday after receiving an invitation from Islwyn AM Irene James. The club was started in 1974 by Mary Way with just a handful of members.

Today Mrs Way is still at the helm and the club has more than 100 children attending regularly.

Irene's brother and Abercarn councillor Ken James said: "Alun was interested in seeing sports clubs in Wales and Irene happened to mention there is an excellent gym club in Cwmcarn."