DOZENS of residents attended the opening of a new fitness studio in Lawford.

Fitness at Summers Park, in Dairy Barn Mews, was officially opened to the public last weekend.

The facility is owned by exercise specialist and personal trainer Dean Smith who wanted to open the studio as his way of giving back to his local community.

Dean, 54, of Kiln Lane, said: “The opening weekend was amazing.

“So many people came to view the facility and we were amazed by the numbers.”

Mr Smith, who lives with his wife Grace and 13-month-old daughter Amillia Faith, said his gym provides modern equipment and is open seven days a week.

The success of the opening was especially important to the Smiths who were part of a visa row with the Home Office in 2018.

Grace, a Chinese national, faced being deported when she was just weeks away from giving birth to Amillia Faith.

After having three visa applications rejected, the Home Office finally approved Grace’s visa on “compassionate grounds” after 4,000 people signed a petition.