BOURNEMOUTH’S very own Olympian Nathan Bailey helped inspire hundreds of youngsters to take part in sport on Saturday.

Nathan, who missed out on the men’s trampoline final at Rio after coming 9th, was taking part in I Am Team GB - a national event which saw thousands of sports clubs across the UK opening their doors for free.

From cycling to running and table tennis, taster sessions took place across the county as part of a national bid to create the biggest sports day.

ITV switched off all seven of its TV channels for an hour from 9.30am to encourage people to get off their sofas and do some exercise.

In Bournemouth and Poole youngsters were able to have a go at track cycling at Bournemouth Velodrome, tennis and cardio tennis at Southbourne Tennis Club and Ping! table tennis at a variety of locations across the conurbation.

And Team GB’s trampolinist Nathan Bailey was given a hero’s welcome at OLGA Gymnastics and Trampoline Club at Rossmore Leisure Centre where he trains. He was also joined by Izzy Songhurst who was part of the Team GB ambassador programme.

The club held an open day for youngsters wanting to try out trampolining with hundreds showing up to take part.

Earlier in the day the Bournemouth ace, who was Team GB’s first male representative for trampolining since 2004, also took part in the Poole Parkrun and then visited Ashdown Leisure Centre, which was also holding an open day.

Speaking to the Echo Nathan, 25, said: “The I Am Team GB event is about us encouraging everyone to get out and get active while also celebrating the support that the public gives Team GB by playing the National Lottery.

“It’s been a great day and it’s wonderful to meet and greet members of the public who have helped fund and support us and our sports.

“This was the first time back at my local gym since the Olympics so it was amazing to walk in and see all these people.

“Just missing out on the final at the games was slightly disappointing, but my aim was to go there and put down the routines that I had been doing in training, and I did that and beyond.

“I’m really happy with what I achieved and a top 10 result overall is great and I’m super proud.”

“It’s wonderful to be part of the most successful Team GB at an away games. Gymnastics alone came back with seven medals and we got our first medal in trampolining thanks to Bryony Page. It’s just fantastic.”

Nathan first began competing with the Ringwood and Bournemouth Trampoline Club around the age of six. At the age of 14 he moved to OLGA club in Poole to “up his training”.

“I Am Team GB is all about encouraging people to try sport. I started trampolining when I was just a little kid and this event is about trying to spread the message that if you enjoy something then you should carry on doing it for as long as possible.”

Nathan has already started planning his return back to the trampoline in preparation for Tokyo in four years’ time.