WANTAGE-BASED TFD Health & Fitness has added a 3,000sq ft extension and refurbishment using £135,000 in funding from Santander.

The work has created new studios, more facilities and the firm has also taken on three more staff.

The gym hopes its expansion will boost memberships by a third.

Lisa Auchinvole, director of parent company Paladin Leisure, said: “The population of the local area has been expanding rapidly with housing for around 5,000 people currently under development, so we think now is a great time to expand.

“The funding has allowed us to add a mezzanine floor to the building which has created two new fitness studios.”