A former regional daily journalist is set to begin filming his own sitcom.

Simon Powell, left, who worked as video editor at the Manchester Evening News earlier this year, is looking to cast 13 actors for the pilot of the series called Gym Bunnies.

The programme is based in Bolton and draws on his past experience of working as a personal trainer.

Simon has written and funded the project himself and hopes to pitch the show to the BBC and Comedy Central.

He said: “The comedy is based around a group who are trying to become personal trainers. The actors do not need to be gym regulars, that’s part of the comedy.

“It began about three years ago when I decided I wanted to do something other than video so I decided to become a personal trainer.

“It was brilliant because I was one of eight blokes from all different walks of life, including an electrician and a DJ, and we all wanted to do something different.

“We were this disparate bunch of blokes all training to become PTs. The experience gave me so much material for a sitcom and I don’t think anything like this has been done before.”