PEOPLE can now stay in shape while visiting a Timperley park.

An outdoor fitness gym has been set up in the park - and there are weekly exercise sessions that are open to everyone.

The facility has been opened thanks to grants from the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund and Trafford Council.

Dave Eatock, the chairman of the Friends of Newton Park, thanked the group's funders.

He said: “The grants were made available for the project in April 2016 and since then there have been ongoing discussions with the newly established ‘One Trafford’ partnership about what equipment could be purchased and who from, where it could be sited and who would carry out the installation.

"We are delighted that the equipment is now in place and proving to be popular with local people of all ages.”

Fro October 2, a personal fitness trainer will provide five free ‘fight the flab’ fitness sessions utilising the gym equipment on Monday evenings from 6 to 7pm. This is financed by funding form the One You Trafford initiative.

The park's activities that are also supported by One You Trafford include walking football, which meets on Thursdays from 11am to 12noon and has now transferred to Sale United FC www.saleunitedfc.co.uk; and Tai Chi, which continues to meet on Thursdays from 12noon to 1pm in the park on dry days and Timperley Taverners on wet days.

For more information contact FONP friendsofnewtonpark@gmail.com