DEVIZES first ever women only gym is closing eight years after it was opened by businesswoman Rosalind Ambler on the Roundway Business Park.

Mrs Ambler, 65, is also involved with Curves in Melksham and Marlborough but these are not affected by the closure.

It is understood that a decision to close the Devizes franchise was made after numerous attempts to increase its membership failed even though the 30 minute work out formulae is successful elsewhere in the county.

Mrs Ambler said: "Curves Devizes will be closing at the end of May and its sister clubs in Melksham and Marlborough are looking forward to welcoming Devizes members.

"Over its eight year existence Curves has helped women from Devizes to lose hundreds of pounds in weight, and thousands of inches. It is sad, but most of my contemporaries are now retired and now I too want to take advantage of the many opportunities for people of a certain age Devizes has to offer.

"I have hugely enjoyed running Devizes Curves, have made a great many friends, and would like to thank all members past and present for the fantastic contributions they have made over the years to charitable causes dear to our hearts."

The gyms do not allow men and there are also no mirrors. Women do circuits of low impact machines designed to work with women's physiques.

Curves in Devizes was one of the first businesses to take on a unit at the new business park created by farmer Chris Combe and his landlords the Crown Estate from a redundant piggery.

When the gym opened in January, 2007, Mrs Ambler said: "I had not been in a gym since I left school, and I hated it then.

"In January 2006, though, when I was overweight and also very stressed, I joined the Trowbridge Curves.

"And lo and behold my shape began to change, I slept far better, and I really did feel infinitely more cheerful after each 30 minute session."

Since opening the Devizes gym has been involved in a number of fundraising events including helping breast cancer charities, food banks and homeless people.