A GROWING junior weightlifting club has been given the go ahead to open its own training and fitness gym.

Wildboar Weightlifting in Lydney launched last year with the aim of boosting young people’s strength and fitness.

And after six of its young members recently lifted medals at the South West Regional youth development competition in Worcester, the community club is hoping to raise the bar even further by moving into its own dedicated gym in Lydney’s Whitecross Business Park.

Forest planners have approved the change of use of the Old Farmer Stores unit, which is next to the club’s current base at the Fortitude Gym, on condition the premises are soundproofed to absorb noise and vibrations from weights being dropped.

Club members incude sporty schoolgirl Mia Bishop, 14, who has been called up into the England junior squad after taking silver in the U15 class at the British junior championships in September, lifting 48kg, some 5kg heavier than she weighs.

Wildboar has already been made a talent academy for the south west, and has around 35 youngsters on its books aged seven to 18.

Coach Josh Telling said: “As we continue our growth, we are looking to have a separate space so we can offer more sessions, work with more young people and have a greater impact on our local community.

“Our mission is to work towards getting young people more active. Currently less than 25 per cent of boys and less than 10 per cent of girls meet the basic government recommendations of physical activity levels per week in the UK.

“This is an alarming statistic and has ignited our passion to make a difference and offer something truly unique to young people within our community.

“We currently have a development group and a beginners’ group to ensure we are inclusive and developing young people effectively and have been selected by British Weightlifting as a talent academy for the south west of England.”

Projected opening hours are from 6am to 9pm weekdays, 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and 8am to 4pm on Sundays