During the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire was twinned with the small nation of Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean.

And now as part of that iconic connection the smaller nation is set to receive dozens of pieces of gym equipment donated by the local authority here in East Renfrewshire.

A report to East Renfrewshire Council’s cabinet revealed the plans and asked for elected official’s approval before the equipment could be shipped to the other side of the world.

Convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague, said: “We were very happy to help meet Tuvalu’s request for help with this gift.

“We enjoyed linking with both them and India during Glasgow 2014 and this donation lets us continue the fantastic values of the Games and build on their legacy.

“It also means we are helping support the development of a very small Commonwealth nation, as well as helping improve both the wellbeing of its residents and its sporting performance, which we are delighted with.” Councillor Montague, who welcomed both the Tuvalu and the India teams to the Games athletes’ village, added: “I look forward to hearing how much the islanders enjoy their very first gym.” The estimated cost of the gift is between £15,000 and £20,000.

Tuvalu is midway between Hawaii and Australia. It is made up of three islands plus atolls, with a population of just over 10,000. At its highest point, it is just 15 feet above sea level.

The gym will be on the largest island of Funafuti.

Tuvalu sent a team of 5 to the Games in Glasgow - Logona Esau, Tuau Lapua Lapua and Kaie Luenita in weightlifting; and Kaimalie Resture and Alan Resture in table tennis.

East Renfrewshire Council replaces its gym equipment on a five-year programme.

Tuvalu can be found some 700 miles off the coast of New Zealand to the east, as part of a larger chain of idylic Pacific Ocean tropical islands.

The small island is surrounded by pearl blue waters and at it’s widest point is less than half a mile across.

Small family homes dot the length of the island which is almost exclusively reliant on fishing to feed its families and generate revenue, with imports and other neccessities being brought in by plane to a solitary airstrip that dominates almost half the island.

The tiny island of less than 10 sq/km, just a third the size of Millport by comparison and smaller than Barrhead, can fit its entire population into Hampden Park five times over.

It is expected that 39 pieces of gym equipment will be shipped to the island, with the shipping costs being met by the Australian High Commission in an act of international generosity.

The report concluded: “The proposal to gift gym equipment to the small nation of Tuvalu presents the opportunity to continue the values of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and build on the legacy of those Games.

“It presents the opportunity to support the development of a very small Commonwealth nation and with the potential to develop links further, including with our schools.”