A FREE community gym is to open in North Oxford.

Wolvercote Young People’s Centre, in St Peter’s Road, will get specialist equipment thanks to council cash and a fundraising drive.

It will install a running machine, rowing machine, exercise bicycles, multi-gym and weights machines by the end of the year.

Youth worker Afzal Gill said: “We are hoping to get it up and running by Christmas or right at the beginning of January, so people can try to keep up their New Year’s resolutions to get fit.

“Of the young people who come here regularly, I think all the over-13s will want to use it.

“This came about because our older members asked for it.

“They had all found that privately run gyms in the area were really too expensive for them to afford. Hopefully, we will be able to provide this for free.

“We are trying to promote healthy lifestyles, and if we can give them nutritional and fitness advice, then we hope they will become involved in other sports.”

The £9,000 costs have been split between Oxfordshire County Council and club supporters, who raised the cash.

Mr Gill added: “During day times and at night when we are closed, we want to open this up to everybody.

“The idea is the community will be able to use it as well.”

Tony Hewlett, who chairs the club’s charitable trust, said: “Hopefully, it will make young people fitter, give them something to do, and something to keep them off the streets.”

The trust raises £6,000 to £8,000 a year to contribute towards running costs and extra facilities.