BLACKBURN and Darwen's free leisure scheme is being hailed a massive success after it was revealed 78,000 people had signed up for the beeZ cards.

The scheme, jointly funded by the borough's primary care trust and council, was launched in March 2008 in a bid to tackle poor health.

Bosses said the number of beeZ leisure card holders had since increased from 46,000 to 78,000.

This has seen the weekly attendance at the leisure centres triple, according to council chiefs.

Now the national Active People Survey, run by Sport England, has found Blackburn with Darwen was one of only two boroughs to improve its standing in the poll this year.

Some 21 per cent of people in the borough now take 30 minutes of activity or exercise at least three times a week.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, executive for leisure and culture at the council, said: “I'm absolutely delighted with this increase.

“This national survey is further proof that the re:fresh scheme is working."

"We are determined to make sure this upward trend continues and the poor health of some of people in our borough becomes a thing of the past.

Nick Kennedy, of NHS Blackburn with Darwen, said: "This really is fantastic news and I hope people will keep up the good work.

"Just 90 minutes of physical activity a week can have a significant impact on people’s health and well being.”

The beeZ card entitles holders to free use of all the council’s leisure facilities, apart from football pitches and the Regency gyms at the Waves centre and Darwen Vale.

It was said to cost £6million over the first three years.