WAREHAM youngster Ben Collington-Mears revealed his selection for Team GB's elite tumbling squad had been his "proudest moment".

The 12-year-old, who trains at the Rossmore Leisure Centre-based OLGA Poole, is due to compete in the Scalabis Cup in Santarem, Portugal on Thursday and Friday.

He said: "I am really excited and looking forward to the busy year ahead. Being selected for Team GB is my proudest moment so far."

The Purbeck School pupil was NDP south west champion in 2014 and 2015 and also won bronze at the NDP Great Britain Championship in the latter year.

Ben then progressed to elite FIG level, winning the FIG south west crown in 2016 as well as bronze in the FIG Great Britain Championship.

Earlier this year, he scooped gold at the Spring Series in Nottingham.

As part of his selection for Team GB, based at Lilleshall National Sports and Conferencing Centre near Telford, Ben is also part of the selection process for the FIG World Championship due to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria in November.

For now, though, he will be represent Team GB in the 11-12 years men's category at the Scalabis Cup.

Ben's coach Mike Barnes said: "Ben's progress in the past two years has been incredible. He is one of the rare athletes you find who has a lot of natural ability and the desire to work hard.

"Hopefully, his recent successes are a sign of the journey he has ahead of him. As a coach, I'm both very proud and excited for him."

Ben's family self-fund his exploits in tumbling. If you are able to help sponsor Ben, contact his parents via bencmears@gmail.com. See more of Ben in action on Instagram via ben.gym1.