A GENUINE Olympic legacy has arrived in Burnley in the shape of equipment which could be “the springboard to success” for aspiring gymnasts.

The town’s rising stars will now be training on a pommel horse on which British gymnasts Louis Smith and Max Whitlock won silver and bronze at this summer’s Games.

The pommel horse, used by athletes at London’s O2 Arena, is now taking pride of place in the gymnastic arena at Burnley Enterprise of Sport and Training, (BEST).

It was supplied to the Olympics, along with other equipment, by Kelbrook-based firm Gymnova.

Coaches hope the equipment and its story will inspire gymnasts to excel in the sport.

BEST, based on Bridgewater Close, Network 65 Business Park, is a London 2012 Inspire Mark project.

The club, a social enterprise offering sport, health and leisure activities, also received a Sport England legacy grant to allow other equipment to be purchased – all with the aim of helping gymnasts reach the next level.

Andrew Smith, director of BEST, said: “We were approached about the chance of some Olympic equipment due to our links with the official supplier Gymnova who knew we were a legacy marked organisation.

“This opportunity doesn't come along every day so we made sure we brought a little bit of the Olympic history to Burnley.”

BEST head of gymnastics, Kimberley Sharples, added: “The gymnasts have been very excited since rumours of the Olympic equipment coming started.

“When it arrived you could see that this really motivated them and they couldn't wait to be the first to touch it, let alone start using it.”