A revolutionary new fitness aid - trialled by football superstars such as Ronaldo - has made its debut in Ellesmere Port ahead of a worldwide launch later this year.

Brio Leisure, the Community Interest Company behind the EPIC Leisure Centre, unveiled the Aqua Running suit on Tuesday to a group of fitness enthusiasts.

The suit, which was designed to get professional sports stars to peak performance, will now by available to EPIC customers ever week. The suit is brainchild of former Liverpool FC midfielder Terry Nelson, a double kidney transplant survivor and amputee.

Terry designed the unique buoyancy suit while in hospital undergoing treatment and recovering from his transplant operations. He vowed to recover and become the fittest transplant patient in the world by undergoing intense training in aqua jogging.

It helped Liverpool-born Terry to become British and World Transplant Games champion at long distance running.

Despite the transplants, Terry's health problems continued and last year his right leg was amputated below the knee. But despite the set medial set backs he's continued to design the training suit.

Earlier this year his company TNAR Limited attracted the attention of some of the UK's top businessmen and investors, including former Liverpool chief executive and Premier League boss Rick Parry. Mr Parry, who was educated at Ellesmere Port Grammar School, has invested in the company to enable 1,000 of the special suits to be manufactured.

Jon Kelly, Facility Group Manager at Brio Leisure said it was a real coup to have the suits available to Brio customers.

He said: "We are looking to roll out the suit at other Brio sites if they prove popular. News of the suit is already spreading and we've had lots of people asking about when the aqua running classes are being held. The launch class was full and we're planning to continue with two Tuesday evening classes for the foreseeable future.

"The great thing about the suit is that it is completely safe to use for those who may be recovering from an injury because it provides resistance without impact. The cardiovascular benefits are huge and when in the suit you burn up a huge amount of calories during the exercise sessions", he added.

The suit, which has an appearance of a traditional wetsuit, has floats sewn into the material, specially placed to work different muscle groups and provide resistance when in the water.

Terry, whose football career ended through injury, was also a former paratrooper before his kidneys failed, is also hoping the suit will provide measurable benefits for those recovering from illness and surgery.

"I lost my leg last year but the suit's buoyancy aids enable me to get into the pool and take part in all the exercise classes. We're already talking to the military because we see real benefits for wounded soldiers as well as sports people who may have injuries that prevent them from taking part in traditional exercise routines.

Terry has already sealed a deal with Real Madrid's Sanitas medical services, the company which provides medical support to the Real Madrid football squad. The suits have also been bought by the Rugby Football Union and are attracting the attention of professional sports clubs in this country and overseas. Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott is known to have used the suit to train for her TV appearances on Dancing on Ice.

Jon said: "I'm sure the suit will have widespread appeal and help some of the best known sports stars in the world improve their performance and recover lost fitness levels. That's why we're so delighted that the people of Ellesmere Port can experience the suit now.

Terry added: "Developing the business has been a long road and I am delighted to be working with Brio Leisure, who are a very supportive and forward thinking company. We look forward to helping those who are in physical rehabilitation as well as those in training"