Free gym sessions to help people improve their mental health are coming to Dorchester.

It's all thanks to a new initiative being run by a local group NHS START in partnership with Anytime Fitness.

Mental health service users and members of the public were given a flavour of the new sessions at a launch event.

The activity will run from next week onwards and include circuit training, 'couch-to-5k' classes and yoga.

Circuit training and couch-to-5k are open to anyone living with a mental health condition, as well as members of the public who have an interest in mental health, such as friends and family of service users who wish to offer their support.

Yoga sessions are only available to those with a mental health diagnosis, and will be offered at the reduced rate of £4.

It is estimated that one in four people experience problems with their mental health. The START team helps empower sufferers in Dorset to become more independent and gain confidence, helping reduce the risk of serious mental illness through early intervention.

Speaking at the launch, START support worker Lewis Chambers described how exercise can improve mental health by helping people sleep better, as well as reducing the need for medication and enabling people to stop self-medicating with street drugs or alcohol.

He said: "Around 110 people from Dorchester, Bridport and Lyme Regis currently attend sessions run by START.

These take place at Lulworth Outdoors, where we encourage people to step outside their comfort zone and participate in activities such as coasteering, mountain biking, archery and caving.

One service user recently described how the sessions gave them an hour's break from mental health issues, so it's great that we can provide that respite.

"A lot of our service users tell us they're looking for a way to get back into fitness or return to the gym, so we're delighted to be working with Anytime Fitness to offer these sessions and hopefully have a long term positive impact on people's mental health."

To find out more about the gym sessions contact Anytime Fitness on 01305 300123