BOURNEMOUTH'S parks should have more outdoor gyms, a councillor says.

Boscombe ward councillor Philip Stanley-Watts wants a network of gyms in all the borough's park areas, as "obesity is a big problem in Dorset".

Cllr Stanley-Watts, a regular long-distance runner who has previously called for a new sports day event to take place in Boscombe precinct, said: "We have got some things in place, such as in Churchill Gardens, but they should be all around the borough."

At a full council meeting last week Cllr Robert Lawton, cabinet member for housing, said maintaining existing facilities in parks was challenging.

"An outdoor gym trail has been identified as an aspiration for Horseshoe Common should funding be found to implement it," he said.

"There are existing outdoor gym stations available along the seafront, installed as part of the coastal activity park.

"Priority challenges for parks services up and down the country are continuing to maintain existing sports and recreation facilities such as playgrounds, pavilions, ball courts and skate parks."