FITNESS fanatics made the most of the sunshine this weekend and flocked to a Darlington park to trial new outdoor gym equipment.

Gym lovers from across the town were urged to ditch their normal indoor routines and workout in the great outdoors in South Park to help the borough council decide whether to install the open-air equipment permanently, ready for the summer season.

The venture is the brainchild of the Friends of South Park and Darlington Borough Council’s park ranger team and aims to provide an alternative to exercising in an indoor gym.

Councillor Nick Wallis, the council’s cabinet member for leisure and environment, said: “The idea of outdoor gyms is catching on around the country and we are keen to offer this facility to park users.

“Anything that encourages people to get out in the fresh air, exercise and use our parks is to be welcomed.

“I would like to thank the Friends of South Park for their help with this project and for their help over the years in making South Park the well loved and well-used park that it is today.”