WORK has started on creating a new outdoor gym which aims to help residents get fitter and enjoy the great outdoors.

The £20,000 project for the outdoor gym in Cliff Park, Dovercourt, got underway on Tuesday.

It is anticipated it will be completed in time for the official opening on Saturday, August 19.

Essex County Council Public Health has contributed £10,000 towards the cost of the equipment and the rest will be found from other sources.

The scheme is being carried out by Tendring Council which runs the site on the award-winning seafront.

Lynda McWilliams, Tendring Council’s councillor responsible for health and education, said the idea has been well-received by residents living in the area.

She said: “In a recent consultation exercise the people of Harwich and Dovercourt backed the outdoor gym.

“Of 107 people who filled out a survey on the initiative, 80 said they would definitely use the facility.”

There were a further 19 maybes.

“Only eight of those responding said they would not use it.”

Mrs McWilliams added: “I am really excited about this equipment being provided at the site and pleased that we have managed to get on with the initiative so quickly.

“It is great that it will be completed in a couple of weeks and can be used all year round, whatever the weather. “ She also thanked the contributors for putting up the money to enable the facility to be created.

She said: “I would also like to say a big thank you to Essex County Council Public Health for coming up with half of the money needed for this project which will help improve residents’ health and promote a healthier lifestyle.”

Cassie Barrett, Tendring’s public health improvement co-ordinator, was already looking into the idea when the council was approached by a ward councillor and the Harwich Crime Prevention Panel.

It is hoped the outdoor gym, which is free to use, will encourage people to get outdoors and get fitter.

There is an open invitation to people to go along to the official opening of the outdoor gym at 10am on August 19.

It will happen straight after the popular weekly parkrun at the site.