A CHESTER-le-Street personal trainer and his gym have been shortlisted in prestigious fitness industry awards.

Former soldier Glenn Hill is in the running for the gym-based trainer category of the National Fitness Awards.

Ladies at Leisure, the gym in Front Street where he works, is shortlisted for the ladies gym of the year title.

The awards are organised by fitness industry magazine Workout and in each category up to seven finalists have been selected.

Trophies will be handed out at an awards ceremony on Friday, November 28 at The Athena in Leicester, which will be hosted by boxing world champion Ricky Hatton and TV presenter and fitness expert Caroline Pearce.

National Fitness Awards’ director Judith Halkerston said: "Considering the high number and calibre of entries, it is a huge achievement to be one of just seven shortlisted personal trainers in your category.

“Each and every one of our finalists should be congratulated for making it this far.

"The next step will be for our team to visit every facility that has made the shortlist – it means travelling thousands of miles but is a great way to see just what fantastic work is going on every day within the health and fitness industry."

Mr Hill, who took up his position after being made redundant, said: “It's great to have a clean sweep for facility and myself both being shortlisted, especially as I have only been a civilian and personal trainer two years. It would be amazing to win both.”