Stephen Tonge, a member of Falkirk School of Gymnastics, will now be put through his paces at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in England.

Five practical sessions and on-going assessments await the 11–year–old - the ONLY boy in Scotland to be chosen - as preparation for the 2016 Olympic Games is put into place.

A spokesperson for the Falkirk club said: "This is just reward for a brilliant year from Stephen and thoroughly deserved.

"He will now receive input from and be assessed by GB coaches and, should he continue to make the grade, will build up for the 2016 Olympics."

Stephen, then aged just 10, helped the Scotland U13 team to silver in the Celtic Cup in February and was third overall in his age group at the London Open in March – also claiming individual gold on the parallel bars.

Then, at the prestigious British NDP finals in Newcastle this month, the Bonnybridge youngster won silver in the elite grade U11 age group against the best gymnasts from throughout all the home countries – his biggest success to date.

A member of the Falkirk club for four years and coached by Andrew Webb, Stephen is now looking to continue his medal-winning year when he competes in the Scottish Championships in Perth next month.