BOSSES at a Greenock sports centre have unveiled their plans for a £500,000 state-of-the-art affordable gym.

Inverclyde Leisure, in partnership with the council, is giving Lady Octavia a massive makeover, including the addition of a new low-cost fitness suite.

Work has started and is expected to be finished by February.

The upstairs area has been ripped out to make way for a new IL 'Fitness for Less' gym.

As well as giving the centre a much-needed modernisation, the development will also lead to three extra members of staff being taken on.

Andrew Hetherington, operations manager for IL, said: "The refurbishment work at Lady Octavia Sports Centre is part of a major drive to upgrade the facility and offer customers a membership option to suit their personal needs and budget. "The gym will have the latest Technogym equipment and the new facility will be a great asset to increasing activity and improving health and wellbeing in our local community."

The budget fitness suite will be similar to the one at Ravenscraig Activity Centre and it is hoped it will encourage more people in the east end of the town to live a healthier lifestyle.

David McCorkindale, IL's head of leisure and community, said: "We're delighted to announce the opening of our third low-cost gym and ensuring we are reducing the price barriers to exercise to make more people more active within the Inverclyde area. "The customers will benefit from extended opening hours from 6am until 10pm to offer an extended level of service to our loyal customer."

The gym will have equipment across 65 stations and a dedicated weights area.

There will also be some other internal mechanical and electrical upgrades carried out.

Kieron Vango, IL's chief executive said: "We are confident the new low cost gym will make transform customer experience at the centre."