IF you missed the fitness rush of the New Year, why not make a new start now. Sharples Community Leisure Centre has a range of fitness activities to suit all ages, abilities and pockets!

If you've ever fancied doing some gentle exercise with a novice-friendly instructor, then yoga or pilates is for you!

However, if you really want to liven it up, why not try a more vigorous class like aerobics, trampolining, the Wednesday workout or even a complete gymnastics course?

You could try a 10 week beginners or intermediate football or gymnastics course for a very special price of just £25.65 if you feel you need a bit of tuition with your technique.

Why not give it a try, you never know it just may be the start of a new healthier you!

For further details contact Sharples Community Leisure Centre on 01204 334168. DO you want to know what exciting things are happening at Doffcocker Nature Reserve?

Come down tonight at 7.30pm until 8.30pm and listen to the free slide show talk. Find out what is planned and how previous work has benefited the reserve and its wildlife.

Meet at Doffcocker Lodge car park off Chorley New Road where refreshments will be available.

If you would like further information please contact the countryside rangers on 01204 334343. ARE you under 16 and interested in learning how to play badminton? Then why not try your hand at the junior badminton coaching course at Kearsley Community Leisure Centre, Springfield Road, Kearsley (telephone 01204 334141 after 5pm).

Anne Fox, who is a fully qualified badminton coach will lead a 10 week course which will be starting soon - so ring now to reserve your place for only £1.00 per session.

Badminton is recognised as being one of the best sports in the world for fitness, anaerobic, aerobic skills, teamwork and strategic planning and is also one of 4 events coming to Bolton for the 2002 Commonwealth Games to be held at Bolton Arena, Middlebrook Leisure and Retail Park, Horwich. IF you enjoy swimming and feel that you have the skills to teach, you could begin by taking the Assistant Teachers Course.

This qualification must be achieved before taking the full Swimming Teachers Certificate and candidates must be 16 years and over.

The course takes place at The Water Place from Monday, March 25 to Thursday March 28 between 9am and 5pm. The cost is £100 plus an assessment fee.

You could make your keen interest in swimming into a career which could lead to teaching hours within the authority with both education and council lessons.

Places are limited so contact Kim Harrison on 01204 334461. A FREE training course led by Walk The Plank, creators of outdoor spectacle and theatre is guaranteed to be exciting, fun packed and confidence building.

The course will be part time, under 10 hours per week. Two courses, running on Wednesday and Saturdays, have already started and a few places are still available on each course.

The course will provide travel expenses, free crche, language support (interpreters) and learning support if required.

The course is initiated by Bolton Metro and partly funded by the European Social Fund.

For more details contact Cath Shea Project Co-ordinator on 01204 334341 or email cath.shea@bolton.gov.uk.