SOUTH Essex duo Brinn Bevan and Jay Thompson are to attend Great Britain’s gymnastic squad’s first training camp of the new year.

The youngsters will both be spending the next nine days in Doha.

And their coach Scott Hann believes it will be a great way for them to kick off 2017.

“Doha is where the 2018 World Championships are being held so the squad are going there to train and I think it’s going to be great for both Brinn and Jay,” said Hann.

“They’re going there to suss everything out before going back to compete next year and it will be nice for them to get some more excellent work under their belts.

“I’m not going to make the trip as the last four years have been so intense that I wanted a break and to spend more time with my family.

“They’ll probably enjoy me not being there and they will get a lot of quality work done in a short space of time.”

The duo will join the majority of Britain’s top gymnasts in making the trip to Qatar.

And Hann is hoping Thompson will be able to impress after recovering from serious injuries to his elbow and Achilles in recent seasons.

“Jay has been doing exceptionally well and is definitely back on track after the two injuries he had,” said Hann.

“If he carries on like that during the training camp then he’ll definitely impress and hopefully that will push him nearer towards getting selected.

“Brinn has also been doing well off the back of a great year and will be doing all he can too.”

Bevan will be eager to impress as he looks to cement his place in the squad after helping Great Britain finish fourth in the team final at last summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.

Both Bevan and Thompson, who train at the South Essex Gymnastics Club in Basildon, will then hope to shine in the British Championships in March as they look to be picked for the World Cup in London the following month.

However, double Olympic champion Max Whitlock is enjoying a slower start to the year than normal.

The 24-year-old, who memorably won two gold medals in Rio, has not made the trip to Doha.

And he is unlikely to return to full training until later in the year.

“Max is taking things a little bit slower than usual because he’s basically not had a break for eight years and it’s been a very intense period for him,” said Hann.

“He’s still very determined for this season though and the big target for him this year is the World Championships in Canada.

“It’s all individual competitions this year and Max is aiming to produce improved performances there.”