CHILDREN in the North-East are joining the fight against obesity by signing up to specially-designed gyms.

Fitness fanatics as young as eight are using the new "junior gyms", which have become the latest national phenomenon.

The region's first fitness centre for children opened its doors in the Middlesbrough area last year, after figures revealed the North-East to have the highest obesity rate.

One of the companies behind the drive has revealed that more centres are earmarked for the region.

Britain's biggest junior gym firm, Shokk, is building facilities at a rate of two per month.

Its youth fitness facility, at Eston Sports Academy near Middlesbrough, opened in October, and is designed exclusively for under-eights.

Rather than scaling down the adult gym kit, which is dangerous for young people's growing bodies, the equipment is designed specifically designed for youngsters by a sports science team.

The aim is to encourage them to get fit and stay fit.

In Middlesbrough, the centre is run by Tees Valley Leisure.

Business support manager Brian Kinson said: "We have always recognised the importance of delivering physical activity to the wider youth marketplace and the Energy Zone Youth gym is a clear example of this.

"Staff are professionally trained to deal with the fitness needs of young people and are always on hand to offer help and advice."

Experts said the craze could help to overcome the obesity epidemic, which is said to affect one in four 11 to 15-year-olds.

Jonathan Williams, managing director of Shokk, said: "The idea behind the Shokk concept was to create a fitness solution for young people that is fun, safe and non-competitive.

"The gym's interior is designed to appeal to young people, with bold colours, chrome equipment, night-club lightning and a funky sound system.

"Essentially, it's a space designed with young people in mind - somewhere they can identify with and a place where they'll want to hang out."

Mr Kinson said the centre had been a success but encouraged more children to sign up.

He said: "Obviously, we have a problem with obesity which we have to address by putting in facilities like this.

"It does get children off the streets and into a facility where they can do something effective."

Shokk is also hoping to install a site in Newcastle later this year.