A new women-only gym which is thought to be the biggest in the world has opened in Southampton.

The Contours Express centre above Sainsbury's at the top of Shirley High Street, is strictly women-only.

Clinton and Laureen Pearce, originally from South Africa but who now live in Christchurch, are joint managers of the 6,500 sq ft gym and have spent the past 21 months setting it up at a cost of about £100,000.

Clinton, who will handle the behind-the-scenes paperwork while his wife runs the front desk, said: "I'm banned but it's not sexist against men.

"Men have their own clubs and things too."

Laureen added: "Most men seem to understand it's women-only.

"It also opens it up to certain groups of women who would not be allowed in a regular gym because of their religious affiliations."

There are 700 Contours Express gyms worldwide and three others in England.

Jason Chong, managing director of Contours Express UK, said: "They are all women-only gyms - they provide a comfortable environment for women and it's not intimidating at all.

"I do not think our gyms are sexist - there are plenty of opportunities for men to go to gyms."

The gymn also stocks equipment designed specifically for women.

For the full story, see today's Southern Daily Echo.