HAMPSHIRE'S first independent female fitness boutique has opened in Alresford.

Fitique has taken over the former electrical shop on Broad Street and will offer a mix of clothing, shoes and accessories for running, cycling, yoga, pilates, tennis and general fitness.

The three-woman team behind the venture aim to depart from the traditionally masculine sports shopping experience.

They also want to develop a community that makes the shop the fitness hub of the area.

Co-owner Victoria Gedye, who has run a sports shop in Alton for 16 years, said: "Whether customers are buying new trainers, doing yoga or popping in to tell us how they got on at a recent race, we want to support and celebrate their efforts to be fit and healthy”.

The shop will run regular evening events on a variety of health, fitness and wellbeing topics.

All the staff are female fitness enthusiasts who can identify with the issues women face when choosing sports clothing.

Co-owners Karen Hazlitt and Rebecca Caplan are Winchester and Alton-based fitness enthusiasts.