A FORMER Skinners' School pupil has taken on some of the top players in the fitness industry by launching his own cut-price gym-style training.

Eighteen-year-old Matt Goldsworthy of Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, explained: "A lot of people pay for gym membership then hardly ever go, and for others it's just too expensive.

"My idea is to offer a wide range of the kind of activities you'd find in a gym but in a more flexible way, either in local classes or personal training sessions in parks or people's own homes."

With popular classes already running in Rusthall and Tunbridge Wells, the teenager, a qualified instructor, is opening in seven new neighbourhood and village venues next month.

He said: "I love it because I really enjoy seeing people progress as they grow in confidence, and as the classes are so local, they become a bit of a social occasion too."

He added: "I'll be running sessions in circuit training, aerobics, boxercise and flex and tone, all at £4 an hour or £24.50 a month for unlimited classes.

"I have students of all ages, both men and women, so I decided it was time to take the plunge and reach out a bit further."