THE magnificent new £1 million-plus gymnastics facility at Hamble Community Sports College has been hailed "a dream come true" by one of the main driving forces behind its creation.

It was back in 1986 that Southampton's Dynamo School of Gymnastics began life in the modest surroundings of the Eastpoint Centre at Thornhill under the guidance of coaching director Debbie Hampton.

Back then they started up a building fund for a modern, purpose-built premises more in hope than expectation. But 18 years later, that dream has become reality thanks to the new £1,107,600 state-of-the-art facility unveiled in Satchell Lane, Hamble this week.

The training facilities, which rank among the best in the country, were secured with the help of a Sport England lottery award of more than three-quarters of a million pounds.

One of Dynamo's proudest moments came this summer when star pupil Vanessa Hobbs from Fareham represented GB at the Athens Olympics.

But with the lease due to expire on their interim home on Hedge End's Solent Industrial Estate, the club were in grave danger of closing.

"The new facility is a dream come true," smiled Hampton, Sport England's reigning female community coach of the year. "If it hadn't happened, it would have meant the end of the Dynamo School because we couldn't compete on a level playing field with the facilities we had.

"This launches us into a whole new era of gymnastics. We've got some of the best coaches and best facilities in the country and with the support of the sport's governing body and the college, it will enable us to compete at the very highest level.

"Vanessa was successful in spite of our facilities rather than because of them, but now we will have many more world class performers like her."

Around 400 Dynamo members will train at Hamble with another 100 based at satellite centres at Hedge End, West End and Horton Heath.

"Everyone will have the opportunity to work with these new facilities," Hampton promised. "The satellite centres are there for kids who haven't got the support to travel, but if we talent-spot someone we will make arrangements to get them here."

Working with Hamble Community Sports College, Dynamo treated their guests to a stunning exhibition of gymnastics at the grand opening, with pre-school tumble tots through to the senior squad putting their skills to the test on bars, beam, floor and rings. Special guest was the Eastleigh mayor, councillor June Hughes, who paid tribute to Hampton.

She said: "I'm so proud to be here. It's down to Debbie's energy and those who helped her bring this about. Thanks, too, to Hamble School. They now have a facility which, if not the best in the country, will make all the people who work and train here feel that it is."