HOPES are high that Lottery funding to extend and improve the Forest Fitness Centre at Cinderford will be granted later this year.

The original application was rejected last June but Alan Elliott, chairman of the trustees, told the Review this week the application had been resubmitted through the appeals procedure.

"This has taken six months to complete but the appeal has been successful and the grant will now be reconsidered with a very good chance of success," he said.

"The building fund stands at £36,000 after just a year. We have been able to secure funding for some of the new equipment and there will now be further grant applications over the next six months. It is hoped the centre will be built and opened by the end of the year," he added.

Over 300 members attended the Fitness Centre's annual awards party.

Mrs Beryl Evans made the first ever presentation of the Colin Evans Shield awarded to the best junior trainee. It was won by Jason Turner, aged 15, of Littledean who used weight training as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Cinderford mayor Councillor Bill Reed presented the Don James Trophy for the most improved trainee to Tom Powles who has made incredible progress having fractured his spine after a road accident.

A new award, the Edith Buskell Shield, was presented by her sons and will be made on an annual basis to the centre's senior lady using exercise and fitness to make the most progress. This year it was won by Mrs Buskell, aged 87.

The W. Bonser Memorial Shield for the best senior man was split between brothers Mike and Tony Smith. Mike regularly travels from his home in Buckinghamshire while Tony lives in Gloucester.

Powerlifting competition winners were A. Kibble, E. Yemm, N. Hodges, D. Wainwright, N. Norris, C. Tynan, R. Scrivens, J. Spencer, K. Sherwin and S. Macmillan.

The Elliott Memorial Cup for the best overall lifter was awarded to Darren Wainwright and the 1999 sports personality of the year title was won by Sean Partridge for his four consecutive wins as the Forest's strongest man.

This year's Strongest Man competition will be held in support of the Forest Hospice Appeal.