THE introduction of outdoor gym equipment at a public area aims to enhance local people’s fitness.

Hexham Town Council has brought an obstacle course to the town’s Tyne Green Country Park to sit alongside the area’s children’s play park.

Included among the pieces of equipment are a set of hurdles, a vertical net wall, stepping pods, parallel bars, a double overhead ladder and a balance beam.

Installed by Kompan (Scotland) Ltd, each piece of equipment has barcodes available to be scanned by electronic devices which bring up visual instructions.

Coun. Bob Hull, the mayor of Hexham, said: “There is no similar facility available in Hexham or in Tynedale. Tyne Green is a popular and well-used area and adults of all ages will benefit from being able to access a variety of gym equipment free of charge, at whatever time of day suits them, in the fresh air.”

The equipment has been part funded by the town council, with the remainder of the money coming from a grant awarded from Northumberland County Council.

There will be an official opening ceremony of the equipment at 8.30am on Saturday, prior to the weekly Tyne Green parkrun at 9am.

Jo Foster, a florist at the town’s Dillies by day who also holds a world record in powerlifting, has been invited to the ceremony as guest of honour.