WINTER sunshine provided the perfect backdrop for some West Fife gymnasts to spring into their dramatic performances in front of new audiences recently.

Just before the New Year, 19 members and coaches with Dunfermline’s Spartans Gymnastic Display Team – famous for reaching the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2016 – travelled to Gran Canaria to take part in a gymnastic festival on the island.

The week-long tour saw the talented squads travel across the island to perform in a number of towns and villages, winning plenty of friends and admirers along the way as they entertained locals in their own dramatic way.

Trampettes, crash mats, their one-of-a-kind vaulting table and the centrepiece of their display – measuring more than six feet tall – all went with them as they performed five displays at locations varying from sports halls to outdoor shopping centres.

Despite environmental challenges with each venue, the Spartans showcased the high-risk moves and gravity-defying balances that they have become famous for, and the Spartans’ Murdo MacLean commented: “After our first display, word was spreading and soon they had become the talk of the island, featuring in local newspapers and even on local radio. The team also became popular amongst the local teams and those who also travelled from overseas, being swamped by many wanting to meet and have their photo taken with them!”

The Spartans – under the banner of Spartans Resurrection – received nationwide attention when they took part in hit ITV show Britain’s Got Talent almost two years ago in the hope of performing at the Royal Variety Show.

The team of 18 gymnasts, aged between 13-23, reached the live televised semi-finals after receiving four ‘Yes’ votes from the judges at their audition, but missed out on a place in the final.

You can follow the club, which is based at Dunfermline’s Bruce Street, on Facebook under Spartans Resurrection Team, on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, which hosts some of their exciting displays, including their popular ‘American Horror’-inspired ‘Creepy’ display, their new ‘Doomsday’-inspired display ‘The Cure’ and their signature display inspired by the Gerard Butler film ‘300’.