SPIRALLING across the floor, Marge Scholes’ gymnastics routine saw her leap into the air with ease.

So impressed were the judges they awarded her a sparkling gold medal.

But rather than being some agile pre-teen, Mrs Scholes is 76 years old.

The grandmother hadn’t been able to do so much as a forward roll since the age of 10.

But now she is determined to show the world “you are never too old”, having scooped top spot at the British Vets 2015 gymnastics competition – just six months after taking up the sport.

Mrs Scholes, who lives with her husband Brian in Ashcombe Crescent, Witney, said: “It was the best experience of my life and if I never do anything else I won’t mind.

“It was wonderful. My medal was presented to me by British medal winner Kristian Thomas.

“I was the oldest competitor there. When my routine was on, everyone stopped to watch and started clapping.”

Mrs Scholes said she had been practising her routine for months and could not have achieved success without the help of Carterton Gymnastics Club.

She also has her five-year-old Irish setter Maisie to thank for keeping her fit well into her old age.

She said: “I walk Maisie every day, 365 days a year, which keeps me supple.

“Come rain, shine, sleet or hail, I go out with her and walk about three-and-a-half miles. I “ also try to keep young at heart. There is no special potion.

“I do have a bad hip but my gymnastics actually helps it. And the doctor said it was great.”

At the competition Mrs Scholes performed a complex floor routine, which included cat leaps, forward rolls and tuck jumps.

She went along with her daughter Claire, 43, who came tenth in her own category. Her granddaughter – Claire’s daughter – 13-year-old Natasha is also the Oxford champion for her age group.

Mrs Scholes was inspired to take up gymnastics in June after watching her daughter and granddaughter.

She signed up to Carterton Gymnastics Club where she was first taught the very basics – like learning how to do a forward roll unaided, before gradually moving on to more complex moves.

The pensioner added: “I was inspired by my granddaughter. And it was only when I went along to watch Claire perform as a veteran that I thought I would love to have a go.

“I was practising for six months, and I had my doubts but my coach kept telling me ‘yes you can’.

“I owe everything I did to Debra, my coach.”

Debra Courtenay-Crane, the coach at Carterton Gymnastic Club, said: “Marge said she would love to do gymnastics and I said ‘well, if it’s your dream then we’ll make it happen’.

“Marge’s performance was magical. Everyone stopped and they made a big announcement. She is British champion now.

“It shows age is just a number.”

A group of 10 members of Carterton Gymnastics Club went along to the vet championships on November 29. They allow anyone over the age of 18 to enter at Lilleshall in Telford.

Mrs Scholes, who has three daughters and four grandchildren, said: “ It must give people some inspiration.”