NOT a lot of people know it, but users of exercise bikes at a youth centre are perching on saddles which once played host to a famous backside - belonging to Michael Caine.

Wallingford youth leader Dave McWilliams was dumbstruck after being invited to the superstar Michael Caine's house - and handed £1,000-worth of fitness equipment.

Caine, who was clearing out his own gym prior to leaving the property, asked him: "Is this all right for you?"

The actor earlier asked his assistant to find a good home for the top-of-the-range exercise bikes and other gear.

Dave, a worker at Wallingford Youth and Community Centre, was invited to the luxury house at nearby North Stoke to pick up the equipment.

Now the bikes, plus a ski-runner and a boxing bag, have pride of place in the fitness room being built at the centre in Clapcot Way.

"It's wonderful. The surprise of it, and the fact that someone like Michael Caine had taken an interest, is great," said Dave.

"When I got to the house, I was shown round and all of a sudden Michael Caine came in and said 'Is this stuff all right for you?.

"I came back and everyone said 'Where have you been?' I said I had drinks with Michael Caine.

"Now, I tell people 'Michael Caine's backside has been on that bike seat'." The actor's personal secretary Ann Jenkin said Caine and his wife Shakira asked her to find somewhere to donate the equipment after they decided to move house.

Mrs Jenkin contacted the youth centre after searching for suitable local organisations.

She said "They are very pleased that it has gone to the youth centre, and hope it will be good for the kids," she said. "I told them where it had gone and they were thrilled."

Unfortunately, Oxfordshire County Council's cuts to the youth service budget have meant work on the fitness centre has stopped and Monday evening fitness sessions for the 70 eight to 11-year-olds have been suspended.

Now Dave fears the Tuesdays for 11 to 15-year-olds may also suffer.

He was forced to shut the Thursday sessions for people aged 15 and over last year because of the cuts.

"We have lost three part-time staff out of four in the last month and we are unable to recruit," he said.

"There's only a part-time worker and me now." Volunteers can call him on 01491 837053.

Have you settled into a seat once adorned by a celebrity bottom? Call our newsdesk on 01865 425500.

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