NORTH-EAST sportsmen and women are using the region's only flotation centre to improve their performance.

Sports people from water skiers to fencers are using Floataria, at Nexus House, Newcastle, to ease physical problems and achieve a calm state of mind before competing.

The facility helps with arthritis, back pain, stress, high blood pressure, migraines and a range of skin problems by using a zero-gravity environment to help the body heal and recuperate. Sessions are held in a special pod filled with a quarter of a ton of Epsom salts.