A SMALL village that is leading the way in regeneration is set to unveil a new 24-hour gym.

Natalie Dawson, a personal trainer from Millom, is preparing to launch a brand new business in the heart of the booming village of Bootle.

Mrs Dawson, 35, already works as a personal trainer at the Recreation Centre in Millom but has always dreamed of owning her own gym.

After a chance meeting with Trudy Harrison - one of the driving forces behind the village's regeneration - at Millstones Business Centre, Mrs Dawson decided to take the plunge and will be opening the gym on Monday.

She said: "I'm so excited - I can't wait. It's something I always wanted to do but it was just a chance meeting with Trudy that got the cogs turning.

"It has been a long process. We first started talking about it in February but finally decided to go for it."

Residents have been working together to make Bootle a leader of regeneration and to attract new blood into the community. The village has secured planning permission for a brand new hotel, spa and housing estate.

The mother of two has spent months kitting out the gym with some of the latest pieces of equipment, including the state-of-the-art Powermill Climber which provides an endless set of steps for the user which can go at a number of different speeds.

Already, 80 people across the Millom and Bootle area have signed up to The Gym @ Millstones which allows 24-hour access by giving each member a fob.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie has praised the initiative and the village's continuous zest for regeneration and growth.

He said: "It's great news that another innovative entrepreneur has chosen Bootle to set up shop. This is such a forward-thinking community and I have already seen many great things happen there.

"Long may it continue and I would encourage other communities to get involved in regeneration in the way Bootle has."

Mrs Dawson, who lives in Estuary Close in Millom, believes the village's progressive outlook makes it the perfect place to launch a new business.

She said: "Bootle is an up-and-coming area and the building is lovely as well - I've just fallen in love with it.

"There's so much going on in Bootle and there's a lot of people who come to The Byre Tearooms as well.

"It's a perfect location as well because there's so many people going past to work at Sellafield and we're 24 hours and have a shower installed so people can just pop in before work.

"It is a bit smaller so it's more private but all this will last 20 years.

"I made sure I bought stuff that would last."