A NEW gym is due to open in Devizes before Christmas.

Work on converting the former Merlins amusement arcade in the Market Place into a gym is underway and the gym is due to open in the next few weeks.

Businessman Bill Montgomery has been trying to find a suitable location for a gym in the town for a number of years .

"The Market Place is the centre of the town and I believe a gym is a facility that is desperately needed in Devizes," Mr Montgomery said.

The gym, to be called Bill's Gym and Tonic, will have various exercise machines, weight machines and a sunbed.

The former amusement centre above Dillons has been empty for about four years.

Mr Montgomery, who also owns Munnelly's Bar in Southbroom Road, said: "We are completely refitting the building. We had to remove a number of old amusement arcade machines before we started. We hope to open on December 8 but it may be a week later. It will definitely be open before Christmas."

He has taken a two year lease on the building, but hopes to acquire a new site as part of the North Gate redevelopment.