The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Sylvia Dunkley, has backed a new leisure scheme which marks one of the biggest changes to health, sport and entertainment in the city for 20 years.

Councillor Dunkley is supporting the lifeCARD, which has been launched by Sheffield International Venues (SIV) to offer discounts on activities across the company's 19 entertainment and leisure facilities.

Councillor Dunkley, who is the city's 115th mayor for the 2011/12 year, hopes the lifeCARD will help children and adults alike to stay fit and healthy.

She said: "Sheffield has always been one of the sporting capitals of the country and inspiring people to participate in sport and health-boosting activities is more important than ever before as the London 2012 Olympic Games approach.

"SIV's leisure and entertainment venues are operated on behalf of the Sheffield City Trust, which means additional income is reinvested back into improving venues and facilities for the benefit of lifeCARD holders, which I think is fantastic for the future of sport in Sheffield.

"I also hope the lifeCARD scheme encourages everyone, of all skills and abilities, to try their hand at different sporting activities. It's great to see that SIV venues are exciting hubs of activity, central to sporting communities in Sheffield."

SIV operated venues include Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, the English Institute of Sport-Sheffield (EIS Sheffield), iceSheffield, Graves Tennis and Leisure Centre and Hillsborough Leisure Centre. Card holders will be able to pay less for activities such as swimming, outdoor pitch hire and Friday night ice skating.

All lifeCARD holders will also receive a 20 per cent discount and advance bookings for music concerts and major sporting events plus offers from local companies.

New and existing SIV customers can purchase lifeCARDs at venue receptions or online at an introductory rate of £3 until December 31. After this time, the cost will be £5 for adults and £3 for juniors (17 and under).