AN ANDOVER sporting facility is set to host an unusual world record attempt this week.

Members of the ‘The Steady and Strong’ fitness class will meet at Andover Leisure Centre this Thursday in an attempt to break the record for the world’s largest seated exercise class.

The current record stands at 481 but organisers Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Valley Leisure are hoping they can get enough Andover residents together in order to top that.

Valley Leisure’s community development manager, Liz Murray, said: “The ‘Steady and Strong’ class is a 30-minute group exercise class that helps to build strength and improve mobility for older people, or people who might be too frail to take part in other forms of exercise.

“But on Thursday 1 October, we want as many people as possible to join in.

“We’re expecting almost 180 people to turn up so we’re already well on our way to break the UK record.

“But what we’d really like to do is put Andover on the map and break the world record too, which currently stands at 481.

“If they do, we will be in the record books.

“And many more people will know that almost everyone can do some exercise, no matter how old or frail they are – and it’s really good for them.”

The event, which will mark the International Day of Older Persons, will take place at 2pm with registration open from 12pm to 1.45pm.

The record attempt costs £3 per person and everyone who takes part will be given a goody bag containing the exercise band they used during the event, a banana, a bottle of water and some information about reducing falls and osteoporosis.

Competitors will also be able to keep the special record attempt t-shirt they will wear during the activity.

Those wishing to take part are encouraged to register before the event and can do so by visiting the website: http://valleyleisure.co.uk/buyonline/product/steady-strong-world-record-attempt/