The Blackburn with Darwen community now has free access to sports facilities at local leisure centres for the next three years, thanks to the launch of a £6m free leisure initiative.

Re:fresh is a partnership between Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust and the borough council, designed to encourage more people to get involved in physical activity.

In addition to the free leisure programme there will also be more support at a local level, with more advisors, life long learning courses and community partnerships to help improve health and wellbeing in the borough.

The programme is available to people living, working, in full-time education or registered to a GP practice in Blackburn with Darwen. It is currently open to over 50s, 16-to-24-year-olds and for those attending family and junior weekend sessions, but by April 2009 it will be available to all adults.

The public will be able to use facilities at the Waves Water Fun Centre, Audley Sports and Community Centre, Shadsworth Leisure Centre, Darwen Vale Community Leisure Centre and Daisyfield Swimming Pool.

The programme is supported by Alliance Leisure.