A Bromley woman is setting up yoga classes for the community – but is only asking for donations.

Deena Mann, 44, has been a yoga teacher for 12 years, holding sessions at the Trinity Reformed Church.

After a recent trip to America, she was inspired by the donation based idea and decided to bring it over the pond.

Mrs Mann, from Widmore Road, said: "A lot of people in the classes in Santa Monica are without an income.

"After seeing it I felt it would work here, I don’t know if it already runs in London but I definitely don’t think it does in Bromley.

"It had a really buzzy feel to it; I could see people really benefitted from it."

After the class she is also providing free tea and cake for people to mingle and socialise.

She said: "It’s just about building community and helping each other, that’s what important.

"At the moment there are a lot of families that can’t afford to eat and they’re relying on foodbanks.

"Some people you think are middle class in Bromley but a lot of people struggle.

MORE TOP STORIES "I know that people have come to my classes then suddenly disappeared, and I’ve seen them in the street and they’ve said my partner lost their job, and I’ve said to them to them to come along anyway.

"They see yoga classes as a luxury not a necessity, "I just want to open up a space for people to connect."

But Mrs Mann stressed the idea was about strengthening community ties, not giving charity to people.

She added: "The classes are based around donations so it’s open for the whole community to come.

"Some people will pay the usual fee but those who can’t afford it will pay what they can.

"It’s completely confidential, so that way people who can’t afford to go the gym can still go to classes, but they don’t feel like its charity.

"Everybody is putting something in the box, I don’t want people to feel they’re a charity case, it’s a community class."

The one and half hour classes - full price £9 - are due to start from June 3, and are open to men and women of all abilities.

For more information visit: www.yogawithdeena.com