ONE of the country's first ever children-focused gyms will be the jewel in the crown of Pendle's new leisure facilities.

Councils throughout Britain are watching the progress of Pendle Leisure Trust's multi-million pound redevelopment of Wavelengths, Nelson, which is due to open by the beginning of July.

Children can already take part in activities designed around them, with exercise walls and dance mats at Wavelengths Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne and the West Craven sports centre in Barnoldswick.

But at the new site, children will be able to take part in all sorts of interactive exercise.

Youngsters will be able to design their own workout class and there will be specially designed child-sized gym equipment from Zig Zag, a range by Colne firm Physique Training Equipment.

Pendle Leisure Trust's chief executive Phil Storey said: "I don't think anyone else is doing this to the scale we are taking it.

"The whole facility will be designed around the family, and kids aged eight upwards will be able to use this equipment.

"People who are enthusiastic about keeping fit will keep fit, whatever facilities are provided, and it's the same with children.

"We want to focus on the people that need an extra push to get active.

"By making it as attractive as possible for children, we will be able to attract more into keeping fit, and then that can filter through to more children taking up sports.

"Obesity is a really major issue now and we want to do as much as we can to help keep Pendle kids healthy."

And while the children are tiring themselves out with the dance mats, parents can enjoy all the luxury of a spa treatment in the new holistic therapy areas, with mud baths, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy.

The project is on schedule for an official handover of the keys to Pendle Leisure Centre on June 20, and a grand opening on June 29.