A BOY, who decided to start gymnastics after seeing a Britain's Got Talent audition, has won gold at the English Championships.

Oliver Bates, a student at South Wirral High School, started going to gymnastics classes when he was seven after seeing Vietnamese duo, The Giang Brothers, performing on ITV talent show, Britains Got Talent.

Speaking to the Globe, Oliver's mum, Rebecca, said: "He saw them balancing each other on their heads and he said 'Mum look at that' and I said if he went to gymnastics he'd learn how to do flips and things like that.

"He's never been one that's into football or anything like that."

The 11-year-old from Spital joined Wirral Gymnastics Club, based in Birkenhead, six months later and his teacher saw a talent in him.

"Olympian Nile Wilson is just his idol", Rebecca added.

"It was difficult for him at first because he was the only boy in his class. He lacked confidence but him and other boys just need that push to get into gymnastics."

Wirral Globe: Oliver won gold over the weekendOliver won gold over the weekend (Image: Rebecca Bates)

Within six months of starting, Oliver's teacher placed him into squad, which requires intense training, four or five days a week.

Last year, Oliver entered the English Tumbling Silver Championships, but after breaking his kneecap, Oliver had only been out of his cast for four weeks before competing, and so finished in fifth place.

On Friday afternoon (June 9) Oliver travelled down to Telford to compete in the competition again and this time Oliver came first, winning gold in his class (Men's 11-12-year-olds).

Rebecca said: "He hobbled in because he had sprained the bottom of his foot so we were panicking because we weren't sure he would be able to compete, but he powered through and low and behold he did three runs and got the highest score in all three.

"I'm so unbelievably proud of him. He was so over the moon to win."

Rebecca also praised the gymnastics club's hard work.

"It's so important for the club as well", she added.

"The opportunities they give these kids keep them off the streets and for my son he's so dedicated and confident now, it's just brilliant."

In September, Oliver will travel to Birmingham and compete in the British Championships where he hopes to take home another gold.