FOREST bosses are giving people an alternative way of improving their fitness, with a £20,000 Trim Trail in 900-acre Guisborough Forest.

Twelve exercise areas, complete with timber-built apparatus, have been created along a one-mile circuit setting out from the Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre, at Pinchinthorpe.

It has been designed to offer something for all age groups, and includes sit-ups, monkey bars, leap-frog, hurdles and rustic weight-lifting logs.

The project has been inspired by the Forestry Commission's Active Woods campaign, which aims to get people off the sofa and into the woods to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit.

Ranger Cath Brason said: "The Trim Trail is an great way to maintain a healthy body and burn up the calories.

"You can take gentle or strenuous exercise, depending on your state of health and how lazy you feel. Add in the beautiful surroundings and we reckon that a 30-minute trip along the trail is the perfect way to chill out."

A leaflet has been produced with a map of the circuit and suggested exercise plans. It is available from the visitor centre.