A wellness centre described as the country's first 'live bacteria bar' has been opened Kent-based start-up.

Neuron Wellness in Tontine Street, Folkestone, is a venture backed by Channel 4 presenter Steph McGovern and her business partner, Dr Julia Jones.

The pair met when Dr Jones appeared as a guest on Ms McGovern's Packed Lunch show last year, and introduced her to the 'smart wellness' plan which she claims uses 'bio-hacking' to improve health.

After following the tips, Ms McGovern managed to control her debilitating IBS symptoms and drop two dress sizes, leading her to invest in Dr Jones' start-up company, Neuron.

Now they have opened the business in the Folkestone Creative Quarter, where the so-called bacteria bar will serve "innovative kombucha and kefir drinks" that the pair say can boost gut health and improve the chance of a longer, healthy life.

Ms McGovern said: "When Julia stepped into the Packed Lunch studio one year ago I had no idea it would change my life.

"Since then I have been adopting hertechniques and making small tweaks to my daily lifestyle, stopping bad habits and eating in a smarter way, having cold showers and working on my gut health.

"I feel so much better and people keep asking me how I have transformed my health. That's why I wanted to work with Julia and be part of the business. Hopefully we can help many others change too and reap the benefits - as we both have.”

The business partners hope the Folkestone wellness centre will be the first of many to open in towns and cities across the country.

Dr Jones said: “During lockdown, I was my own case study and used these simple techniques as an experiment on myself. I’m now the same weight that I was in my 20s and my sleep, focus and energy were also all boosted.

"We hope the smart wellness hub to be the first of many and want people to know that they can revolutionise their wellbeing by working on their gut health and daily habits."