A small-scale gym is aiming to give its local community something to feel great about.

HitFit, in the Old Canteen at Ellers Mill, Dalston, has provided the perfect place for a workout and is welcoming people of all abilities.

Owner Siobonne (CORR) Brewster, who lives in the village, is behind the unique idea which is already seeing local people reap the benefits of having a gym on their doorstep.

Opening a gym is something Siobonne looked into a few years ago but was lured into full time work commercial work. This year she decided she wanted to be at home more and be in the community. Now her dream has finally come to fruition.

"A lot has changed in our world recently," she explained. "I just think being closer to home and giving back to the people a little bit more and working with the people I know and associate with became more important.

"I was loving the classes and I just thought I wonder if I can do this," said the 42-year-old mum-of-one, who is a qualified personal trainer.

"Dalston has grown steadily over the years that I've known it.

"It's nice to have my own place where I can create the feeling I want to create.

"Where fitness is going generally, it's not all about being skinny or the biggest, bulkiest trainer, but it's about being really healthy."

Siobonne, who works three days a week as a trust fundraiser for The Outward Bound Trust, is a keen runner and loves horse riding.

She has a strong background in recreational and competitive sports and is a regular participant in Total Warrior.

Since opening she has helped people with arthritis and injury and is a firm believer that fitness can make everyone feel empowered. She has been pleased with the response so far and says the business will grow with demand.

"It's not intending to compete with the Lifestyles or Bannatynes. They are fabulous but this is on your doorstep," she said.

"It's fantastic because people who say they didn't get on somewhere else and they hadn't felt encouraged just felt welcome.

"There are people who have not exercised for years, people who were really into their fitness but have had three kids since and not had time, everybody has said they felt really confident and happy and it was nice to come. That's been really lovely."

The pay-as-you-go gym opened in mid-May with very little in it, but has since transformed with the arrival of professional flooring and equipment, with everything from kettle bells and battle ropes to a treadmill and rower.

In total there are eight machines and classes including metafit, kettlebells and bootcamp, are already becoming popular.