A NEW outdoor green gym has opened to help boost health in the district.

The outside gym opened last week at Plantation Hall, Heybridge, in a bid to encourage people to exercise more regularly.

The gym provides the opportunity for residents to stay healthy for free and was the brainchild of Heybridge Parish Council.

A spokesman said: “The chairman Richard Perry was proud to open the green gym and paid tribute to ex-chairman Simon Burwood, who was the driving force behind the plans.

“The gym is accessible to anyone wishing to use it at any time of the day.

“The idea came from Simon working alongside Maldon CVS and the Cooperative School in Heybridge, offering the use of the green gym in the grounds of the school on certain days.

“Simon and the residents he met when using the gym felt use was restricted and Simon bought the concerns to the attention of the parish council.”

The community protection team will be working alongside the parish council to help promote health and well-being within the community.

A piece of equipment for the disabled is set to be installed soon.