sporta members, under the umbrella of the UK Fitness Network (UKFN), have created a 200-strong national chain of leisure centres and fitness suites.

The UKFN website at www.ukfitnessnetwork.org, complete with club finder and Google maps to help users find their nearest participating site, was officially launched to consumers on 1 September.

However, access to join the scheme will be reopened in December this year, allowing more of sporta's 101 cultural and leisure trust members to sign up to the UKFN free of charge.

Phil Rumbelow, Chair of the non-profit making UK Fitness Network said: "sporta trusts are working in partnership with the UK Fitness Network to allow each other's members to pay and play at their sites. So far 26 sporta trusts have signed up to the scheme, double the number of trusts previously involved, creating a chain of more than 200 gyms that their members can access when travelling around the country."

Craig McAteer, Chair of sporta said: "sporta members offer a unique service to their members and customers. Not only do they provide a range of affordable and accessible health, fitness and cultural facilities for people unable to afford private health clubs and sports centres, but they also reinvest their surpluses in service development, whilst providing an innovative range of community outreach programmes. Understandably we are keen to promote wider access to these public leisure facilities across the UK."