MOST people wanting to fight the flab in the New Year will face forking out for expensive gym membership or fitness equipment.

But an 80-year-old from Nazeing wants to change all that with his exercise DVD that shows how to tone up with the help of just a broomstick.

Jack Cagney, of Highland Road, decided to revive his interest in body building and make the DVD, Get Fit with Gentleman Jack, after suffering a heart attack three years ago.

He said: “It came as a complete shock. I thought 'how can this happen to a man like me?' - I don't drink or smoke and I lived an exemplary, clean lifestyle.

“I had long been toying with the idea of producing a system of exercising at home, without paying gym fees.”

Instead of barbells, he claims to be able to use the power of his mind to make a broomstick feel as heavy as an eight-stone weight.

The retired businessman moved to the UK from Czechoslovakia in the 1940s and previously ran a reproduction furniture company.

He has even written a rap for his video, which includes the motivating lines: “Now I don't do any silly dancing, or Lycra posers' useless prancing. Let me teach you what I can do. We'll make a new person out of you.”

He insists the video is not just aimed at the older generation.

“This is for anybody from 16 years up who's a couch potato,” he said. “Younger people are not in a very good shape.

“This training is to get you fit and strong. I have my confidence back now.”

The DVD is available from the website www.meganitepower.co.uk.