A REVOLUTIONARY exercise class designed to make life safer for the elderly is coming to Thornbury.

Elderfit classes help improve strength and balance, with the aim of reducing falls later in life.

The classes use principles of Otago training, developed at the University of Otago, New Zealand, which has been shown to reduce falls among the elderly by improving their balance.

Participants range from 60 to 90 years old and use a range of equipment including strats, ropes, hurdles and ladders.

Six hundred people a week currently take part in classes in Wales.

"We've got allsorts," said co-director of Elderfit, Tom Scaife.

"It's suitable for anyone. The classes are as hard as you make them. We do different things each week."

"They work to their own ability really. It's tailored to the needs of the individual."

"It's so much fun, we love it."

Elderfit was launched in Wales and is coming to England for the first time with the launch of the Thornbury class.

In 2017 it was a People's Project winner, providing £47,000 of National Lottery funding.

The Thornbury group will meet at 10.30am on Tuesday mornings at Thornbury Methodist Church on Thornbury High Street.

The first class is free and costs £4 thereafter.

Tom, who lives in Chepstow, added: "I know Thornbury quite well. The church is perfect. I thought this is a good place to start."

For more details contact Tom on 07540 806437.