Cadbury House Hotel's health club, theclub, has launched a new initiative that is encouraging more 12 to 15-year-olds to take regular exercise.

Called 'The Teen Fit Academy' the scheme has already been a big success with more than 50 children signing up to take part.

With use of the gym unsupervised restricted to those 16 or above, the idea is to allow teenagers access to use the range of equipment at specified times once they have completed the induction course.

This includes guidance on the etiquette of using the gym such as use of towels and how to use the variety of cardio vascular equipment in a safe and correct manner.

Once they have completed the induction they are then presented with a certificate of induction which gives them access to the gym, on their own, at specified times.

Already a big success, many of those who have signed up are already seeing the benefits with many parents saying that since joining the scheme their children's concentration and motivation has improved.

Tom Horton, fitness manager at theclub, said: "This is a great scheme that not only encourages those between the ages of 12 to 15 to take more exercise but gives them access to the gym and most of the equipment.

"We do not encourage the use of weights but show the children how to improve their health and well being using the cv machines, body weight exercises and other gym equipment such as Swiss balls and medicine balls."