A Cumbrian town has seen a welcome boost after its only gym has seen some "much needed investment", new equipment and a makeover during lockdown.

Fitness fans in Alston are now busy getting to grips with the “best kit in Cumbria” which has been installed as part of a new look.

The gym is run by the volunteer directors of Alston Moor Fitness Club — Ryan Sherratt, Corey Wood and Jack Currah.

Walls have been knocked down to open the inside up and provide more space, with all the work being done by the three directors.

Ryan, aged 38, said: “The aim is to have a state-of-the-art gym up here, with the best kit in Cumbria.

"We have already invested in some of the best kit money can buy from a company called Watson Gym Equipment and also Origin Fitness.

He explained that they were all new, fairly young directors who had taken over the gym during the last 10 months, and do it all completely for free.

“We will continue to reinvest all the profits back into the gym until we achieve our goals as none of us make any money personally from this.

“We are now on the verge of buying a complete rubber gym floor to finish off the space before investing in more kit.

“We have now almost quadrupled the membership, which is amazing,” added Ryan.

Elizabeth McDonald, team leader at Alston Local Links, said it was now more or less a 24-hour gym for those taking out a full Alston Moor Fitness Club membership, paying by direct debit.

“As time goes by and membership increases, the directors — again all volunteers — are going to plough the money back in to the gym and hope to buy more equipment and also add an extension so they will be able to hold classes.

“The work was carried out by only three members in their spare time over a number of weeks so all in all it’s quite a remarkable achievement,” said Elizabeth