THE start of a new year is the traditional time to begin a diet or exercise class and we have had plenty of choice in South Cumbria through the decades.

There have always been plenty of gyms, classes and companies ready to help those seeking the perfect bikini body, or those who just want to lose a a few pounds to make the tasks of daily life a bit easier.

The Mail, on June 11 in 1997, told the story of 10 Furness women who were heading to the Royal Albert Hall in London for a National Keep Fit Association Event.

It noted: "The women, who are part of a team of 32, beat off competition from hundreds of contestants from as far afield as Liverpool and Carlisle.

"Producer Val Patterson, of Hill Road, Barrow, has planned a routine combining aerobic fitness and jazz to a piece of music."

She told the Mail: "It's an honour to be chosen as a choreographer and it's a great achievement for the girls to picked for the team.

"It's amazing that we in the Furness area have managed to scoop nearly a third of the team places."

Sometimes it is hard to keep the initial enthusiasm going for a class or fitness routine.

The Mail, on April 22 in 1998, noted: "One of Barrow's longest running keep-fit groups has had to call it a day.

"A lack of cash to hire a hall and a decline in interest means Walney Townswomen's Guild, which has organised keep-fit classes for the last 38 years, had held its last session."

Group spokeswoman Jean Barrow said: "In the end, there were only four or five people interested and the cost of hiring a hall was becoming too expensive."

The fitness group leader for the past 11 years had been Jean Postlethwaite.

Another group in Millom was given a "use it or lose it" message in 1999.

The Mail, on February 4, noted: "Women in Millom are being given their last chance to join a fitness class in the town because if numbers do not pick up the class will be forced to close."

The Wednesday afternoon sessions were held by fitness instructor Helen Savage at the Guide Hall.

In 2000 a group of Ulverston people improved their health and lost a total of 353lb in weight with a little help from the Rosemary Conley diet and fitness club, led by Caytie Wightman.

The Mail, on February 14, noted: "Between 30 and 40 people meet at one of two classes each Tuesday to follow a programme devised by the keep fit adviser.

"Some people at the classes have lost up to three stone in weight."

Mrs Wightman had been on a four-week training course and had met the TV star.

She said: "Meeting the television regular for the first time left Mrs Wightman somewhat starstruck, but she found Rosemary Conley was very easy to get along with."