SPORTS fans using a football academy opened by a former Darlington and Middlesbrough player can now access gym facilities there.

Verso Fitness has opened a facility at the Alun Armstrong Sports Centre, in Shildon.

The centre will feature a 52 station fitness centre using Pulse Fitness for both strength and cardio exercise in a main gym area.

A smaller area has also been built which will provide a variety of fitness classes while a Spartan Rig exercise machine has been fitted in a training room.

Gym users can also access dedicated spinning classes run by trained staff along with other exercise programmes.

Verso Fitness already runs the gym provision at Spectrum Leisure Centre, in Willington, and it is looking to expand its operations.

James English, of Verso Fitness, said: “This is a fantastic fitness centre built on the experience we have learnt at Spectrum Leisure Centre.

“We will be providing memberships at various rates to suit all customers and will be offering personal training packages, class memberships as well as more traditional style gym memberships.”

The Verso Fitness gym opened last weekend (Saturday, February 28) and it can be used from 7am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on a weekend.

The first 150 people to sign up will be offered a yearly contract charging £16.99 per month. Once this figure is reached the price for a yearly contract rises to £20.99 a month.

Details can be obtained on the gym via the Spectrum Leisure Centre on 01388-747000.