PEOPLE aged 75 or over, high-performance athletes, full-time students and student nurses, carers, foster carers, disabled people or those in receipt of council tax or housing benefit are all set to benefit from a new leisure scheme.

It is being introduced by Blackburn with Darwen Council's Department of Culture, Leisure and Sport.

Beez card holders, fitting any of the listed criteria, will be entitled to use council-run sports and leisure centres with reductions of up to 100 per cent.

For a limited period only, new members will receive their cards and a 12-month membership free.

Beez cards are available from Audley Sports Centre, Daisyfield Swimming Pools, Regency Fitness Suite, Shadsworth Leisure Centre and Waves Water Fun Centre -- all in Blackburn -- and Darwen Leisure Centre in Darwen.