Ananova:

Jobless Germans are being helped to get fit for work by being sent to the gym.

They have to work out for five hours a week to continue to qualify for benefits.

German job centre spokesman Joerg Kraeker said: "Being off the job market does make people ill.

"Chronic unemployment can make people prone to illness, but can also lead them to be pessimistic about their future job perspectives."

He added: "Keeping them fit helps against this. It also increases their social contacts and boosts their self-confidence."