Head teacher of Vale of Berkeley College cut the ribbon, with help from Cllr Laurence Carmichael of Stroud District Council to officially open the new fitness suite at the College for use by students and the community GSR1749H06 PEOPLE in Berkeley and the surrounding areas now have the chance to benefit from a state-of-the-art Fitness Suite at the Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre.

The £90,000 development at the Vale of Berkeley College in Wanswell was a joint project between the school and Stroud District Council. Work started in July to transform the old sixth form unit into a dance studio and fitness suite.

The official opening for the Fitness Suite, which contains top of the range Cybex Fitness equipment,was performed by Cllr Laurence Carmichael, Stroud District Council's Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion.

She (CORR) said: "I am delighted that Stroud District Council has invested in this project that will benefit both the school and the wider community.

"We all know the importance of sport on health and wellbeing and the new Fitness Suite at The Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre demonstrates the Council's commitment to encouraging and developing sporting activities and facilities in partnership with schools, the voluntary sector and other organisations."

A new programme of fitness classes which includes Spinning, Aerobics and Circuits will start in the New Year just in time to burn off those extra calories from Christmas.

The extra facilities are in contrast to those closing in North Wiltshire where the district council has announced the closure of three leisure centres.