A LEISURE trust which sparked controversy by closing a Dulverton gym earlier this year has reopened the facility.

Now called the Exmoor Fitness Centre, the 1610-owned gym opened its doors on Monday after more a break of more than four months.

A spokesman for the not-for-profit trust said opening hours had been extended to 30 hours a week and new equipment had also been installed.

The gym operates from the Parish Rooms where it will hold body conditioning classes as part of a new exercise programme.

But it will also run pilates and yoga classes at All Saints First School in the town and plans to introduce a GP referral scheme when official accreditation has been secured.

The temporary closure of the gym was due to the trust's concerns about falling memberships and the long term viability of the facility.

But the decision caused uproar locally, leading to the creation of the community-led Exmoor Gym, a not-for-profit company, which has held pop-up sessions - largely in All Saints Church in Dulverton - throughout the summer.

It is currently applying for charitable status and drawing up its own autumn programme of activities.

Mandy Godsell, who will manage the 1610 facility, said the deals on offer, together with a new improved service, represented value for money and a great opportunity for local people to enjoy and make the most of.

"1610 has invested a lot of time and resources into making the Exmoor Fitness Centre the best it can be at an affordable price for the local community," she said.

"We have listened to local people during an extensive consultation period and we hope that we have a flexible and cost effective service that meets the needs of the local community.

"The future of the centre is totally dependent on how much local people want to use it and we urge them to come along and see what we now have on offer."

Special rejoining rates are on offer during September.

More details are available from Mandy on 01643 708815.