A NEW state-of-the-art gym is set to open in Chard to meet a surge in demand.

Leisure and fitness experts 1610 will open the new gym on Jarman Way in April.

The firm has now unveiled the plans for the first time, to give prospective punters their first glimpse of what it will look like.

It is expected the gym will cost about in the region of £500,000 to develop. It will be the home of the largest Prama Studio in the UK once completed, and will also boast 46 stations and different rooms for people to work out in.

Work is currently underway at the site, where the firm is transforming old retail premises into the new gym.

1610, which will also organise a 10km run to be held in the town in September, currently owns and manages the Cresta Leisure Centre at the shared site with Holyrood Academy.

However, membership has tripled at the gym in the last five years, meaning the firm had to look for a bigger and better premises to house its news gym.

The Prama Studio will feature LED lighting and interactive flooring and walls to create a whole new workout experience.

Normal workout equipment, such as treadmills, will feature an integrated TV, web browsing and apps. A dedicated spin studio is also set to be developed.

1610 is currently liaising with local community groups and sports groups to decide how the remaining Cresta Leisure Centre facilities could best be used as part of an overall vision for sport and fitness in Chard.

The swimming pool will continue to operate at Zembard Lane and the current fitness facilities at Cresta Leisure Centre will remain open and function as usual while work is underway on the new centre.