WHEN your boss invites you for a party at their house most people get treated a few drinks and maybe a buffet.

But staff at Preston's newest gym have been told to expect a bit more when they go round to their big cheese's house - for their chief is Richard Branson!

The entire workforce from the new Virgin Active 'life centre,' Walton-le-Dale, will spend a weekend living it up in the tycoon's Berkshire mansion along with other minions from the Virgin empire, in the presence of their boss, pictured.

The party is a treat for the staff of the new £9 million gym, which opens next Tuesday after months of preparation.

But although the eccentric entrepreneur will be splashing out for the swanky bash, he won't be in Preston for the opening of the gym.

Instead he plans to visit one day before the end of September, giving just 24 hours notice before his arrival - by Virgin train, not balloon. A Virgin spokesman said: "The parties are held for staff as a team-building exercise and also as a reward for their hard work.

"The one for Virgin Active staff will also include a few people from Virgin's other divisions and Richard Branson will be there throughout."

She added: "But it wasn't possible for him to attend the opening because it was after a bank holiday.

"Instead he plans to make a quiet visit about a month after the centre opens just to meet staff and any members who happen to be there at the time.

"We have 4,000 members, so to arrange a big ribbon-cutting ceremony for everyone to attend would have been a nightmare."

The new centre, which has cost £9 million to build and is the first of 30 nationally, is designed to help users develop an all-round healthier lifestyle.

It will be opened next Tuesday by the Mayors of Preston and South Ribble.

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