Climbers are flocking to a new gym on Portland which offers an adventurous indoor bouldering experience.

The opening of the Hangout gym on the isle was set back by the pandemic, but the facility at Southwell Business Park is now open seven days a week and is encouraging scores of people to give climbing a try.

More than 1,000 people have already tackled the 4.5 metre high wall, which offers 1,200sq ft of bouldering. Climbers have even come from as far afield as Sheffield and Leeds.

Owner James Mullan, an engineer, has been a keen climber for years and noticed there was nothing on Portland and in Weymouth like it,

He came across an empty industrial unit in Southwell and took it over in December 2019 to turn it into somewhere local to climb and keep fit.

James said: "The original plan was to open it in February or March and then the pandemic happened so we didn't open until July.

"It will keep people rock climbing during the winter, a time when they can't ordinarily do outdoor rock climbing because it's dark by the time you finish work."

James hopes that the facility will be a good way for people to get into climbing.

He said: "I've always bouldered. If you want to get into climbing it's a great way to start. Portland is one of the best places in the country to climb and not a lot of people know about it.

"The feedback has been great so far, if you're into bouldering it's really good for doing that.

This is the first indoor bouldering facility in the area, with climbers previously having to travel to Bournemouth, Poole or Exeter.

No ropes are needed for the Hangout as there is a crash mat below the wall. People can hire bouldering mats and climbing shoes. Sessions cost £4 and last for 1hr 20 minutes. There's an online booking system - climbers have to complete paperwork on their first session and watch a safety video and on their return can use the climbing wall straight away.

Refreshments are also available so people can enjoy a tea or coffee between the climbing.

Proving popular so far have been the Hangout's special Ladies Night, at which women who might be looking to try something new and get fit at the same time, can come and climb.

James said: "We find that climbers are 60 per men and 40 per cent women, a lot of the women are quite shy around the male climbers. It can be a bit intimidating. My partner climbs and women seem to find on their own they can develop more confidence."

The Hangout can also be used for group bookings, with Dorset charity Diverse Abilities, which helps disabled adults and children, using the facility. There is also a kids' group.

People of all ages are enjoying using the wall, James said, which is great for learning techniques for rock climbing and developing hand eye co-ordination.

"We have a few people in their late 60s and early 70s," he said.

"We have a lot of kids who come along and some are autistic and they're petrified to go up and we have to bribe them with sweets sometimes!

"We encourage them to get to the top and the change that we see in them from week one when they manage to climb up is incredible."

For more information on the Hangout, see the Facebook group www.facebook.com/Thehangoutclimbing