A new exercise class has launched in a North Somerset village and people can access it for free thanks to a voucher scheme.

Healthy active vouchers – part of North Somerset Council’s Go For Free scheme – are available to people who do not do much exercise and give access to a fitness class for free.

The scheme has been up and running in Weston for a number of months – but the vouchers are now also being taken in Banwell.

Mark Sweeting, who is running the get-fit classes in the sports hall of Banwell Primary School, said he wanted to start the classes because of the village’s lack of facilities.

He said: “I would say most of the people signing up have not exercised at all for a while. There’s nothing really available around here at all.

“I looked at the village and thought there’s nothing here. We are trying to get people more active and we want to encourage people to come along and make them feel better about themselves. I would say just come along, have a giggle and you might burn some calories as well.

“Not everybody wants to go to the gym, it can be really intimidating, but this is a more informal setting.”

Anyone living in Banwell who does less than 30 minutes of exercise a week can apply for the vouchers.

To find out if you are eligible for vouchers and to apply, log on to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/leisure/sport/getting-active/go4free