Kings Hall Leisure Centre and Britannia Leisure Centre in Hackney are the latest facilities to join the London Fitness Network (LFN), bringing the total number of affiliated centres to 64.

The LFN – a collaboration of eight leisure charities and trusts – offers unlimited use of gyms, swimming pools and exercise classes at registered public facilities across London.

Participating trusts include Aquaterra, Bromley Mytime, CIP Group, Greenwich Leisure (GLL), Fusion, Sutton Community Leisure, Jubilee Hall Clubs and Central London YMCA.

Launched in March this year by Richard Caborn, minister for sport, the LFN was created following feedback from customers living and working in different parts of the capital.

Research showed that in order to gain wider access to leisure facilities some people were choosing to join a chain of private sector clubs rather than taking out several memberships in the public sector.

The aim was to provide a membership package offering cross-borough access to public sector health and fitness facilities.

GLL was recently appointed to manage Hackney Council’s leisure facilities on an interim basis for 18 months.

Clissold Leisure Centre in Hackney is currently closed for repair works but is set to join the inclusive membership scheme when it reopens in summer 2006. Details: www.lda.gov.uk