POETIC pensioner Bill Woolfitt may be well into his ninth decade but that doesn't stop him from penning odes to his favourite place - the gym.

The South's oldest fitness fanatic has swapped his bus pass for a bench press at the ripe old age of 81.

Until the recent death of his wife Iris, former bank manager and Normandy veteran Bill had never entered a gym.

And, having suffered a heart attack, two cataract operations, diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure, he could have been forgiven for wanting to take things easy.

But now there is a fresh spring in the great-granddad's step. He has taken the plunge and signed up to Shirley's City Gym, near his Carlisle Road home.

Bill has become so keen on working out at least twice a week that he has even penned a sonnet in honour of his new hobby.

"I was married to Iris for 57 years and it was a great loss when she died at the end of last year," said Bill.

"I was looking for something to fill my time and saw the gym's notice. I thought 'Why not'.

"I went to see my doctor first for advice and she said it was OK to join as long as I took things easy.

"I enjoy all the company and it helps keep my brain and my body going."

It's not only his brain which has been rejuvenated; Bill has admitted he's not averse to the idea of finding romance with one of the many ladies at the gym's Over 50s club.

"You've got to keep your eyes open. I'm always on the look-out. You never know what's round the corner," he joked.

"When I first came here just after Iris died I couldn't cook at all. I just used to eat microwave meals, but the folk here have given me come great cooking tips. I'm quite a chef now."

Gym owner Paul Feeney said: "Bill is quite remarkable. He's definitely our oldest member.

"He presented a bit of a challenge but, when you allow for a few creaks and pains, he's doing very well indeed.

"When he's not in training Bill comes in for a chat as much as the exercise. He's very popular with the ladies too."

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