Linda Forrister (78), from Leek, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) after teaching gymnastics for more than 50 years.
Throughout her long career, Forrister has established several gymnastics schools in Staffordshire. She currently coaches at Uttoxeter Gymnastics Club.
She has served as a high-performance coach as well as a national judge. Several of the gymnasts she has coached have gone on to represent Britain at high-level international competitions.
In between coaching, Forrister has also worked as a maths teacher and deputy head at a school in Leek.
The BEM stated that Forrister has been an essential figure to West Midlands Gymnastics for over 50 years.
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
