CRAIG Heap thanked the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for helping him to win a second Commonwealth Games gold medal at a packed G-Mex Stadium last night.

The Burnley gymnast was skippering a team of five who successfully defended the title they won in Kuala Lumpur four years ago - although it was a nervous finish as they pipped Canada by just 0.750.

But 29-year-old admitted that if it wasn't for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph appealing for a sponsor for him three years ago to boost his gymnastic career he wouldn't have been there.

The appeal was successful with Smith and Nephew in Brierfield giving him £11,000 so he could compete as the only male British gymnast at Sydney Olympics and then defend the Commonwealth gold.

"If it wasn't for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph or Smith and Nephew I wouldn't have won this," said Heap.

"Now I want someone to sponsor me for the next four years so I can carry on to the next Commonwealth's in Australia. This body might keep going for another four years!"

He was half joking but also if someone comes up with the cash he probably would carry on as he loves the big occasion and the glory which has come with it in recent years.

It is the result of hard work and dedication on a small lottery grant which has kept him pursuing the sport he has given 20 years of his life to. And it all came off last night.

He is the first to admit he didn't have the best of rounds with team-mates Kanukai Jackson, from London, and Cuong Thoong excelling on their Games debuts.

But it was a good reunion for Heap, John Smethurst and Ross Brewer who all won the team gold in Kuala Lumpur - and wanted to taste more success.

Four contestants from each team compete on each of the six disciplines - the floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bars - with the top three counting.

Heap was third counter on the floor with 8.750, he had a nightmare on the pommel where he came off (7.700) and didn't count on the rings (8.200).

On the vault he got his first nine - 9.025 - and was third counter, on the parallel bars with 8.700 it was the same again but he was top man on the high bar with 9.100 and he will now go into Monday's high bar final to compete for an individual event medal.

But his effort was still vital and the captain's spirit he instilled into the side kept them battling with the Canadians on their heels all the way.

"It was a ropey start," he admitted. "I came off the pommel but it is not my strongest event since my operations on my shoulder and elbow. I had to change my routine and luckily the lads hauled me out. I was a bit cheesed off and I hope they don't blame me!

"We could have gone downhill after that but we stuck with it and picked ourselves up. It was so nervous at the last piece, it was touch and go.

"We knew we had the high bar but we knew that anyone could drop off so it was pressure.

"But we coped brilliantly - they don't need a captain these lads!"

There was five near faultless performances on the high bar with the team showing strength and poise and holding their nerve before they began to celebrate reclaiming the crown.

"We held it together somehow!" laughed the captain.

Heap does still have thoughts of swapping the high bar for the Big Top - he could go to the Cirque Du Soleil in America where he could make a fortune with his gymnastic talents.

"I had auditions a few years back and passed, but until a job comes I'll have to just wait and see," said Heap. "It wouldn't be anything like the trapeze because I'm scared of heights - I'm bad enough with the high bar.

"I'd probably end up doing something that was a bit lower down. I might end up being the clown!

"But joking aside, it is something which is a possibility should I decide to retire after these games, but nothing's certain yet.

"I love gymnastics so even after retiring, I'd like to perhaps coach and show youngsters what a great sport this is."

Australia, silver medallists in 1998, finished in third place, while Scotland took a creditable fourth.

Heap has also qualified for tomorrow's individual competition along with Jackson and Brewer. That action kicks off at 1pm at the G-Mex.

ANYONE interested in sponsoring Craig Heap contact the Lancashire Evening Telegraph on 01254 298002.