CHIEF executive of the regional development agency, One Northeast, Mike Collier visited Deerness Valley School, in Ushaw Moor, to see members of the sports acrobatics group in action.

Comprising mainly of pupils from Deerness Valley, the group trains in the school hall, but plans to move to the nearby Deerness Valley High Performance Centre when refurbishment of the existing sports centre is complete.

Mr Collier aims to help the world-class group secure backing from local primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and employers to enable as many young people as possible to take advantage of the facilities. The school is formulating a flexible curriculum enabling young gymnasts to attend practices at the centre before starting school.