OLYMPIAN Louis Smith put young gymnasts through their paces as he unveiled the £3 million refurbishment of a Bournemouth gym on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old met members of the Bournemouth Gymnastics Club at The Village Hotel Club and Gym in Deansleigh Road before showing the young sportsmen some of his training moves.

Sammy Brown won the chance to meet Louis after his dad entered a competition in the Daily Echo, and brought along all of his teammates to enjoy the day.

The 10-year-old, who attends St Michaels Primary School in Bournemouth, said he has been a gymnast since the age of five, and also studies ballet, tap and modern too.

Gymnastics club coach Cathy Woodland said: "It's such a big day for these boys.

"It's just a major thing for them. They can go and tell all their friends that they've met an Olympian. It's absolutely wonderful."

Louis is the new brand ambassador for the 28-strong Village The Hotel and Gym chain.

The athlete is now in training for some major championships, culminating in this summer’s Rio Olympics.

He spends three hours a day training on the pommel horse and parallel bars - but said the hours spent preparing himself for live performances on Strictly Come Dancing were more arduous.

Louis won the coveted glitterball trophy in 2012, the year before he was made an MBE.

But he won't be out on the town celebrating his successes.

He said: "When I'm training, I'm really focused, and from now until September you won't find me out partying, drinking or socialising massively.

"I stick to the simpler things like seeing friends at home and playing my Playstation or going out to the cinema.

"You get smarter as you get older, and I need to listen to my body with a strict routine to make sure I'm on top of my game."

Despite that, he says he has some "smooth moves".

"I love Michael Jackson and you might even catch me pulling out the Moon Walk on the dance floor now and again," he said.

Louis eats plenty of high-protein food to fuel himself for his training, typically preparing chicken with salad and following exercise with a protein shake and fruit.

As for indulgences, he said he prefers cheese and crackers to sweets.