AN environmentally friendly exercise class has proved to be a breath of fresh air in Inverclyde.

The ‘green gym’, which is held in the woodland at Coves Reservoir, has improved people’s health and the environment at the same time.

Alex Cameron, from Port Glasgow, says the initiative, which is run by The Conservation Volunteers’ charity, has proved a big success.

The 66-year-old said: “I’ve enjoyed it very much.

“I have retired and was looking for something to take up my time and that would give me exercise.

“I like the idea of being outside and keeping active and at the same time improving the area by doing things like widening the paths, picking up litter and working on some of the trees. It’s keeping me fit.”

Eileen Richardson, 54, from Greenock says the people involved have become a closely-knit unit along the way.

She said: “Everyone has gelled together and worked as a team. We’ve learned different skills, such as how to use different tools.

“It’s been fantastic fun.”

Andrew Christie, from Greenock, says the Green Gym is a great way to get out the house into the fresh air and pick up new skills.

He said: “I’ve helped to make a wee hotel for frogs and beetles and I also created a sculpture using a willow tree.”

Rebecca Strofton, who is a senior project officer at the charity, signed up 12 volunteers for weekly sessions.

To celebrate the success of the group, an end of summer celebration event was held at Coves Reservoir recently.

During the programme Rebecca charges carried out a variety of different conservation tasks such as planting wildflowers, managing areas of woodland, creating habitats and maintaining the paths. 

Rebecca said: “Green Gyms programmes are designed to help people to improve their physical and mental health by taking part in practical conservation activities. 

“The group started up in April and ran at capacity with 12 regular participants at each weekly session.

“People are coming for different reasons.

“The project was open to anyone and some people have been referred from voluntary agencies and the Scottish Association for Mental Health pointed a few people in our direction.

“It’s a good mix of people and everyone got on really well.”