PORTISHEAD gymnast Imogen Cairns has been selected to take part in the London Olympics this month.

Imogen, who lives in Portishead and trains at the Academy in the town’s Harbour Road, is one of five British gymnasts chosen for the women’s artistic squad.

The 2008 Olympian and three times Commonwealth gold medallist says she is overjoyed at her selection and is looking forward to having the home crowd behind her at her second Olympic Games.

The 23-year-old has overcome a number of injury setbacks, including a serious ankle problem, which kept her out of action for 18 months. She is heading to London alongside team-mates Beth Tweddle, Hannah Whelan, Jennifer Pinches and Rebecca Tunney.

Also accompanying her will be her coach of 17 years, from the Portishead Academy, Liz Kincaid.

The dynamic duo are deemed one of the most successful partnerships in British gymnastics and both coach and gymnast have worked hard to ensure their partnership reaps rewards.

Imogen’s selection for the games is not the only thing being celebrated by staff and other gymnasts at the training ground.

The Academy’s 16-year-old Ruby Harrold has been named as a reserve for the London 2012 team. Ruby made her senior debut for Great Britain at the European Championships earlier this year where she followed Beth Tweddle in to the asymmetric bar finals, finishing a credible seventh.

Back in Portishead, coach Nia Edwards said: “Everyone at the Academy is really thrilled. The girls have worked extremely hard to get where they are and are an inspiration to all gymnasts, and the club. We wish them a fantastic Olympic Games.”