The Dynamo School of Gymnastics are hoping that their new-found TV fame will help them fulfil their dream of a new home.

An astronomical 40 per cent rent rise means the club cannot afford to stay at their current Solent Industrial Estate base in Hedge End when the lease runs out in September next year.

Now the onus is on them to raise enough money to accompany a Lottery bid for a planned new facility at Hamble School who, in turn, are chasing sports college status.

Thanks to an eagle-eyed BBC employee, Dynamo's luck may be about to turn. A Beeb researcher stumbled across their website and the wheels were set in motion for a star role in the TV programme 'Trading Places.'

It follows Dynamo trio Katie Seabrook, Laura Smith and Daine Evans who did an exchange with three Russian gymnasts from Moscow and examines the training and cultural differences between them.

Pete Burford, whose nine-year-old daughter Christina and seven-year-old son Christopher are both enthusiastic Dynamo members, had the pleasure of hosting the three Russians - two 13-year-old girls and a nine-year-old boy - during their stay in Britain.

He said: "It was fascinating to look at the differences between the two sets of gymnasts. Whereas our youngsters are combining 18 hours' training a week with their school studies, the Russians are doing six hours a day, six days a week. For them it's gymnastics first and school books second and they are already talking about becoming Olympic champions.

"Whereas Dynamo training is all about fun, the Russians' is more like a boot camp. Their gymnasts were chaperoned at all times and the girls, in particular, were extremely conscious about watching their weight."

The BBC1 programme, to be screened in two parts starting next Thursday (August 9) at 5pm, raises questions about the training regime young gymnasts undergo.

Burford cannot speak for the Russians, but said: "My children go to Dynamo because they thoroughly enjoy it. It's a whole new social life for them.

"Christina's so keen that she comes home and practices her floor routines and when she's got a night off on Wednesdays she's thoroughly bored. Her school work doesn't suffer because of it. In fact she's top of her class.

"We don't force her to go and we wouldn't let her do it if she wasn't enjoying herself."

Burford added: "The interest this BBC programme has created is tremendous. Our director of coaching, Debbie Hampton, is even going to be interviewed on the radio programme 'Woman's Hour.' Hopefully this will raise people's awareness of the club and help us get the money we need for a new facility."