A wellness centre offering exercise workouts to older people or those with mobility problems is marking its one-year anniversary in Sandwich with a move.

The Retreat, owned by Nina Cobb, 72, has moved from Strand Street to larger premises in King Street, with an extra treatment room and courtyard.

Mrs Cobb said the extra space will benefit her 160 members who use the centre to work out as well as socialise.

She said: “In our first year, we’ve seen some amazing results among our members including weight loss, inch loss and improved mobility.

“There are people who have replacement knees and hips and are now able to walk up the stairs without assistance.

“It’s really going well and as well as our move, we’re now looking to expand our range of treatments and therapies.”

Using Shapemaster power-assisted chairs, it offers people a 30-minute workout to exercise the lower and upper body simultaneously.

People spend three minutes on each apparatus, working their way around the circuit of eight different chairs. Movements include chest and leg presses, tricep dips and leg curls.

The centre is open to everyone but has proved most popular with the middle aged and older generations.

Susan Shomali, 67, of Stonar Close, Sandwich, joined The Retreat eight months ago.

She said: “It’s been very beneficial for me and I think Sandwich needed something like this.

“I have quite a serious long- term ankle injury and I’ve found using the machines has improved the circulation and the swelling.”

Mrs Shomali said she was prone to falling over due to bad circulation but has had far fewer falls since joining the wellness centre.

The machines are easy to use, with different levels and speeds and an emergency stop button.

Contact The Retreat at 01304 617620.