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| Free gym classes for under-fives | Free gym classes for under-fives |
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| Plans to provide free gym memberships to thousands of children under the age of five to halt rising obesity levels have been announced in Merseyside. | Plans to provide free gym memberships to thousands of children under the age of five to halt rising obesity levels have been announced in Merseyside. |
| Activities for babies and toddlers, including dancing and basic ball exercises, will be offered at fitness centres run by Liverpool City Council. | Activities for babies and toddlers, including dancing and basic ball exercises, will be offered at fitness centres run by Liverpool City Council. |
| The council believes Liverpool is the first city in the UK to offer such a wide ranging programme. | The council believes Liverpool is the first city in the UK to offer such a wide ranging programme. |
| About 65,000 children will benefit from the scheme, the council said. | About 65,000 children will benefit from the scheme, the council said. |
| It said it took the decision following research which found half of 11-year-old boys and 40% of 11-year-old girls in Liverpool were overweight. | It said it took the decision following research which found half of 11-year-old boys and 40% of 11-year-old girls in Liverpool were overweight. |
| In the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader | In the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader |
| The study also found that one in 20 of Liverpool's children was clinically obese and one in three did not do enough exercise. | The study also found that one in 20 of Liverpool's children was clinically obese and one in three did not do enough exercise. |
| In addition to the under-fives programme, called Futures, the council said about 1,600 low-income families would also be given free Lifestyles membership so that older children and parents could make use of the fitness centres. | In addition to the under-fives programme, called Futures, the council said about 1,600 low-income families would also be given free Lifestyles membership so that older children and parents could make use of the fitness centres. |
| Youngsters aged five to 16 already get free Lifestyles membership as do the over 60s. | Youngsters aged five to 16 already get free Lifestyles membership as do the over 60s. |
| Council leader Warren Bradley said: "As a nation I believe it is our primary duty to do all we can to give our children the healthiest possible start in life and in Liverpool we are exploring every possible avenue. | Council leader Warren Bradley said: "As a nation I believe it is our primary duty to do all we can to give our children the healthiest possible start in life and in Liverpool we are exploring every possible avenue. |
| "Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre. | "Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre. |
| "If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities." | "If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities." |
| Underpinning the drive will be a 13-strong team of youth and community coaches who will each provide up to 30 hours of free classes a week. | Underpinning the drive will be a 13-strong team of youth and community coaches who will each provide up to 30 hours of free classes a week. |
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| Liz Lamb of Liverpool City Council on the 'Futures' programme |