BRITAIN’S biggest gymnastics festival won’t be returning to Irvine next year - because the new leisure centre isn’t big enough to hold it.

Last weekend, thousands of gymnasts and spectators flocked to the Magnum over three days for the 11th and final time for Gymfest.

The annual festival is advertised as the UK’s premier gymnastics display event where approximately 1,500 gymnasts, 300 coaches, 3,000 spectators have descended on Irvine for the event - and generating thousands to the local economy.

But after 12 years of success, Irvine will now lose the major event once the Magnum closes early next year.

Gymfest organisers confirmed to the Times that because of the limited space offered inside the new £20million Portal Leisure Centre - due to open in February 2017 - they cannot hold the event in Irvine.

North Ayrshire Council have regularly boasted about the facilities on offer at the new centre in the middle of the town including a multi-use sports hall and the ability to hold exhibitions and events.

And there are no suitable alternatives on offer to keep Gymfest in Irvine for 2017.

Instead, North Ayrshire Council are in discussions to potentially host Gymfest at another sports venue in North Ayrshire.

A council spokesperson said: “We have been working with partners and Scottish Gymnastics to identify alternative venues for Gymfest here in North Ayrshire.

“We are investing in a number of new facilities across the area and will be exploring these as potential venues for Gymfest as well as other major sporting or cultural events.”

Euan Love, chief executive of Scottish Gymnastics, said: “Since 2005 the Magnum Centre in Irvine has been the home of Gymfest each May bank holiday weekend.

“We are proud to have witnessed the event evolve over the previous 11 years and be embraced by the local community. Numerous new teams from across the UK and beyond have been welcomed in to the Gymfest family during our time in Irvine.

“It’s a real family event and many looked back with fond memories of the last twelve years as we drew the event to a close for the last time at the Magnum on Sunday.”