A campaign to get Wigan residents fitter is underway with the launch of the first health club at Hindley Leisure Centre.

The £250,000 facility has been funded by Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust (WLCT), which was launched in 2003 to manage leisure and cultural services on behalf of Wigan Council.

The club has been equipped by Technogym and is fully accessible for disabled users.

The development is part of the multi-million pound Getting Wigan Active campaign, which the trust launched last year. The five- to 10-year programme of investment and regeneration aims to transform the council-owned leisure facilities in a bid to increase participation in sport and physical activity in the borough. Currently, only eight to 10 per cent of Wigan’s population use the council’s leisure centres and swimming pools.

The campaign includes the phased closure of outdated, under-used and costly facilities, including some of the borough’s existing swimming pools. It also includes the creation of new purpose-built pools and sporting centres of excellence, such as the ambitious Leigh Sports Village development.

Costing £43m, the Leigh Sports Village is due to open in 2007 and will include a 10,000-seat stadium for all major sporting clubs in the town, a public sports hall, 400m running track and field sports area, as well as a health and fitness centre and swimming pool.

The Getting Wigan Active plan will also encourage young people to stay active through the introduction of free swimming for all under 16-year-olds.

The trust is committed to improving the health of the borough, said Cllr Brian Baldwin: “The only way we can do this is by making fitness an attractive and enjoyable way to spend your time. That’s why we are determined to replace out of date and under-used facilities with modern alternatives which will appeal to everyone.”