A GYM that was destroyed by fire has risen from the ashes and will officially re-launch on Monday — a year to the day it was forced to close.

The fire ripped through BodyTORQ and a row of shops on School Street in Westhoughton on June 1 last year.

For the past 12 months Army Physical Training instructor Lee Hill, who has been on four tours of Afghanistan, has faced his toughest battle yet to rebuild the gym.

After losing more than half its members following the fire, the remaining 20 members were forced to train outside before finding a temporary home in Blackrod.

Now Lee, alongside new business partners Lee Teder and Mark Ross, are ready to re-open BodyTORQ in its former home.

Mr Hill, aged 30, said: "The last 12 months have been very stressful, it's been very tough to say the least.

"Before the fire I was ready to leave the army but after the drop in members I needed to stay to keep the gym going.

"Still being in the army I was doing like 18 hours days to do classes in the morning and then drive up to base camp in North Yorkshire and then back to do late classes and there were times that I thought I couldn't keep it up.

"But we are now at almost 80 members and have come the full circle.

"It's the end of a chapter but the start of the dream now."

BodyTORQ will be officially opened to the public on Monday at 7.30pm for a meet and greet with the team, a tour of the new premises a presentation and the chance for new members to sign up.

Mr Hill added: "After the fire we had to literally train in lightening, thunder and snow and some members have even walked each day from Blackrod to Westhoughton to train, which just shows their commitment and shows we are obviously doing something right.

"We will be making a testament to those members at the presentation on Monday.

"This time we have been able to plan properly where we want to go with the gym and what we want it to be like and I am so excited for the next step."