A DETERMINED young athlete from Inverkip has reached new heights by sealing a place at a prestigious Scottish sports institution.

Logan Coyle, 12, is one of only two elite level gymnasts in his age group to be accepted for the Glasgow School of Sport at Bellahouston Academy, starting in August.

The talented youngster is one of just seven young people from across the whole of the country to get into the school this year.

Logan, who lives in Jacobs Close, is on the national performance pathway for gymnastics and is coached by Team Scotland's Kelvin Cham and former Olympic athlete Marius Gherman.

He said: "It's something that I really want to pursue.

"I love tumbling and being upside down.

"I think I'm best at the high bar."

Proud dad Alan says the team at Logan's school, St Patrick's Primary in Greenock, have been very supportive of his son.

To get into the School of Sport, Logan had to fill in an application and go for a trial, a physical fitness test, a medical test and an interview.

When he starts in August, he will receive gymnastics coaching sessions within the school day, which will be timetabled around his academic subjects.

Alan says he and Logan's mum Debra started to notice that he had an aptitude for gymnastics when he was about four years old.

He said: "He started out at a gymnastics club in Largs and within a few weeks we noticed he had a real talent for it.

"Logan now goes to City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club four days a week.

"His mum does all the driving him up and down and he's not usually back home until after nine at night.

"He really enjoys it and is so dedicated."

Logan is in no doubt where his future lies - and would jump at the chance to compete all over the world.

He said: "I want to be a professional gymnast.

"In the short term, I want to compete at the Scottish championships and then go onto the British championships.

"Longer term, I would love to compete internationally for Scotland and for Great Britain."

Alan added: "We're so proud of him.

"He's doing what he loves and he's so committed to it."