A soft landing is the main aim of a six-week refurbishment project at Huntingdon Gymnastics Club.

The Mayfield Road venue had one of the oldest pits in the country - a 10ft deep hole in the floor filled with foam and used by gymnasts for more than 30 years.

The club, with Huntingdon Town Council, is overseeing the work, which last week saw the removal of all the old foam.

Volunteers included members of Huntingdon Cromwell and Ramsey Rotary Clubs, who made a joint donation of about £5,000 to help pay for new foam.

Coaches and parents of young club members chipped in as it took a day to clear two large container skip-loads of debris.

Gymnastics programme manager Adam Scott said: “We’re going to fully refurbish it, re-seal it, put a pump in the bottom, add a floating floor, and refill it. It’s going to be a real first-class job.”