SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club’s Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan helped Team GB’s men's artistic gymnastics squad put in a strong all-round performance in Rio.

The team ended the day in fifth behind China, USA, Russia and Japan with a score of 268.670 going into Monday’s final.

In the individual events, the Basildon based Whitlock and Nile Wilson will both contest the all-around final, while Whitlock and Louis Smith finished an impressive one-two on pommel.

A fourth final awaits for Whitlock on floor and he will be joined by Kristian Thomas as they qualified in fourth and seventh respectively while Wilson will also bid for medals in the high bar.

“I’m happy with what I’ve done,” said Whitlock.

“The team have pulled together really well and I’m really pleased to come up first in pommel.

“It’s probably one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had.

“The 2015 World Championships where we came second in front of China really proved that.

“We need to take what we’ve done use the experience we’ve got and go out there and enjoy it.”

FULL STORY IN MONDAY’S ECHO