Hundreds of young people have been making the most of a gym especially aimed at the under 16s.

Bradford Council's sport and leisure service opened the district's first junior gym in January last year, at Keighley Leisure Centre.

And since then its popularity has boomed with 736 memberships sold so far. These include casual, monthly and special offer memberships.

Over the past 12 months, the SHOKK gym has seen 4,442 visits - from members, clubs and schools and for special events.

The junior gym has state-of-the art equipment designed for young people who want a regular workout and trainers who can give personal exercise plans.

There is also a large plasma screen which shows music videos and TV programmes to entertain young people as they exercise. Among the users is 12-year-old Demi Clare, a pupil at Holy Family School, in Keighley, who has been keeping fit for over a year.

She said: "It has really worked for me. I'm much fitter and I've lost weight. I can push myself much further than I used to be able to do."

Preparing to work on the treadmill was Huzafa Azram, 14, who attends Greenhead School. "What I like is that we don't just do gym work but other sporting activities like badminton," he said.

The youngsters are led by fitness instructors, Adam Wilkinson, 19, and 27-year-old,Vanessa Ruddock. She said: "As well as the gym work we have a series of other challenges such as football and quick cricket. It helps to keep them interested and focused."

Adam added: "As well as helping them keep fit, they also make friends and grow in confidence."