A 24-HOUR gym is to open in Salisbury's city centre after plans were given the green light.

Gym operator Snap Fitness will open in the former Lakeland building in Market Walk, by the library.

Wiltshire Council officers granted permission for the plans subject to conditions which include acoustic measures to ensure "suitable" noise control.

The gym will be open 24-hours, seven days a week.

Officers said the use of the empty retail unit for leisure use would "add to the diversity" of the city centre and "may well add to the vitality of the night time economy".

Salisbury City Council supported the application but raised concerns about the noise impact on neighbouring residents and the reference section of the library, opposite the gym.

Planning officers said the plans, submitted by Workout 24/7, had not received any objections from neighbours and that any noise to the library was likely to be background only.

Open only to its members, the gym remains locked at all times, including during staffed hours from 9am to 6pm. Members gain access via an electronic security tag system connected to the membership database.

The gym will be largely open plan and comprise a work out area, including a cardio area, free weights section and weight machines.

The company states that all lighting is sensor operated and automatically turns off when no members are active within the club, and no classes will operate after 10pm.

It anticipates it will attract around 1,350 members, saying 40 per cent will regularly use the facilities.

The Snap Fitness franchise has gyms in more than 2,000 locations in 15 countries.