ATHLETES with disabilities and people wanting to keep fit are to reap the rewards of a specially designed gym.

The fitness suite at Highworth Recreation Centre has adapted machinery and weights, installed electric doors and has a specialist trainer to make it accessible for everybody.

Paralympic horseriding gold medallist Anne Dunham, from Broad Hinton, officially opened the centre yesterday.

Anne hasn't let multiple sclerosis stop her rising to the top in her sport. She hopes to compete in the World Dressage Championships next summer and the Beijing Paralympics the following year.

She started professional training in her 40s and says there were no facilities like the ones at Highworth Recreation Centre when she started.

Although she has used a wheelchair for the last 10 years, she still rides four days a week to keep in shape.

She said: "Bringing young and old people to new opportunities to exercise is very important for their quality of life.

"This specialist equipment means it is not hard work to use and everybody is in together so people don't feel excluded."

Former British, European and world weightlifting champion Keith Bell will teach disabled customers to use the gym.

Keith said: "Going to a gym can be quite daunting if the trainers all look like Arnie.

"Because I'm disabled, I know about disability, and it puts them at ease."

Keith, who will offer massage therapy for sports injuries as well as training, demonstrated the purpose-built weight and cardiovascular machines.

All of the equipment was designed for easy access and many can also be used from a wheelchair.

Bright yellow markers have been used on adjustment levers to help partially-sighted people.

"The manufacturers are cottoning on that they can make money by making a few minor adjustments in the design stages.

"It really does make them so much easier," said Keith.

The borough's first fully wheelchair-friendly gym was one of 185 centres set up thanks to a £5m lottery grant.

The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) was started in 2001 to make exercise more accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities and impairments.

Chairman of the centre's trustees Phil Baker said: "I am proud of all our staff here at the Rec. They have really worked hard to achieve IFI status.

"Our desire is to see all our customers come here for a quality fitness experience. We do believe that this facility will quickly be seen by our disabled customers as enhancing their quality of life."

IFI project co-ordinator Ann Lewis said: "The project is not just about fitness. There are massive social benefits as well."

Following a year converting the recreation centre's social room into a state-of-the-art gym, Ann is now planning a gym buddy scheme to help customers train together.