Free gym membership for under fives

The city is targeting under fives as latest health research has identified the age group most critical in the fight against obesity. As part of the new scheme called Futures, these youngsters will be able to take part in a wide range of activities from active play and dance to basic ball exercises in 13 of the city's 15 Lifestyle Centres. Parents will be able to join in too as Liverpool city council is also giving free annual membership - worth £684 a year - to 1,600 families. And because anyone in Liverpool aged over-60 is already entitled to free gym membership, in a scheme called Senior Lifestyles, grandparents can get in on the act. The council already provides free membership to every child aged 5-16, but as part of the new drive will be informing them of a new menu of 30 different activities - from basketball and boxing to free running and dance they can do for free. In total 65,000 children, aged 0-16, will receive a letter and temporary pass over the next two weeks inviting them to activate their free membership anytime over the next three months. Underpinning the drive will be a new 13-strong team of dedicated youth and community coaches who will each provide up to 30 hours of free classes a week at the 13 centres. The membership will also give kids the opportunity to use swimming pools without paying after school, at weekends and over school holiday periods. They will also be able to use astro-turf pitches, tennis, squash and badminton courts and be able to hire equipment for free. Council leader Warren Bradley said: "As a nation I believe it is our primary duty to do all we can to give our children the healthiest possible start in life and in Liverpool we are exploring every possible avenue. Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to us hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country free access to their local leisure centre. If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities." Liz Lamb, Manager of the Futures programme for Liverpool City Council, said: "Obesity is a proven killer and encouraging families, from the off, to play and get fit together can have huge consequences for the future well being of our children. I'm delighted everyone in Liverpool is joining forces under our Futures programme to provide so many ways to enjoy and access our Lifestyles centres, its facilities and the expertise of our coaches for free."