The rise in male suicide has prompted a mental health group to team up with the new Dover District Leisure Centre.

Talk It Out in Deal is funding a six-week gym and fitness programme for males only, with all costs covered.

It's aimed at providing men who suffer with depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions the chance to seek peer support while working out and learning new skills.

Founder of Talk It Out, Tracy Carr said: "Mental health problems among men are dire.

"We're receiving so many crisis calls at the moment and they're all men, many on the verge of suicide. We've got to do something."

According to statistics body NHS Digital, there are about 6,000 suicides in the UK each year and it's the biggest killer of men up to the age of 49.

She continued: "We did try a men's group here at the hub but I'm not sure it was the right environment.

"But something like this, a more regular environment with an activity on offer, might help and hopefully people will also benefit from the good endorphins released through exercise."

Starting on Friday, the session will be held in the multi-function room which is being privately hired.

Men will be given a gym induction with each weekly session carrying a different theme. These include circuit training, boxing, climbing and cycling. Sessions will be one hour.

Talk It Out will supply free lifts, meeting at the hub in Victoria Road, Deal, at 6.30pm.

Alternatively people can meet at the centre in Whitfield for 7pm.

Sarah Manton, contract healthy communities manager at Dover District Leisure Centre whose helped organise the programme, said: "Initially Tracy was looking for just a space at the gym but I suggested rather than just talking, some activity can really help with mental health.

"I said we can give people the option of both and it might give them a bit of energy, empowerment, camaraderie and the opportunity to learn new skills."

Volunteer Lee Ackroyd, 67, is one of seven male volunteers at the hub who will be accompanying the gym group each week. He will be available to chat with if people require a listening ear.

Mrs Carr said: "Lee is very compassionate and members can really relate to him."

Talk It Out in Deal was initially a weekly depression help group set up seven years ago which expanded to daily wellbeing café, now located at Deal Ability in Victoria Road.

The hub has been so successful in helping sufferers it was awarded £10,000 by Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott which secured the service for three years.

Talk It Out has also linked up with national charity MIND and will be offering new two-hour courses about self-care and mindfulness starting in September.

The wellbeing café at Deal Ability in Victoria Road is open 11am to 1pm Monday to Friday. Call Tracy Carr on 07923 096273.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal