A diabetic man from Wisbech has been given a new lease of life thanks to a gym in the town.

Diabetes UK is using the case-study of 72-year-old David Hughes to spread the word on how the condition can be controlled ahead on World Diabetes Day on November 14.

David decided to embark on a health kick at the Hudson Leisure Centre after his blood sugar levels were deemed to have reached a severe level in March this year.

With the help of personal trainer Sam Newman, David’s new gym programme, which saw him work out for an hour three times a week - allowed him to lose weight – so much so that drugs he had previously been prescribed were not necessary.

David said: “I initially had reservations about attending the gym but was pleased to find that many gym users were in my age group and just intent on getting fitter.

“Exercise has certainly worked to help control my diabetes and I think people living with diabetes would probably benefit from supervised gym work.

“I’d be pleased if only one person benefited from following my example and gaining better control of their diabetes.”