A LEISURE trust is offering free access to its centres for nationally ranked athletes.

Freedom Leisure, which runs Perdiswell Leisure Centre and St John's Sports Centre in Worcester, has announced the relaunch of its FLAIR scheme.

The scheme gives free access to Freedom Leisure centres across the country for nationally ranked athletes.

The scheme, which was originally designed to help promising sportspeople complement their training programmes, is now back and open to a new generation of talented individuals striving for excellence on the national and international stage.

Athletes who meet the criteria can now apply for complimentary membership at a Freedom Leisure facility of their choice.

This will provide access to gyms, swimming pools, studios, courts, and other facilities.

The leisure trust has extended the scheme to anyone aged 11 or over, therefore increasing the number of sportspeople able to apply.

Ivan Horsfall Turner, chief executive officer at Freedom Leisure, said: "At Freedom Leisure, we believe in the power of sport to inspire, unite and transform lives.

"We are incredibly proud to relaunch FLAIR and to support the UK's most promising athletes in achieving their dreams.

"As a not-for-profit organisation, our focus is always on supporting the communities we serve -- and that includes nurturing the next generation of sporting heroes."

Applications for FLAIR are now open via the Freedom Leisure website until Saturday, May 31.

Applicants will need to provide evidence of their national ranking and relevant competition history.

Successful athletes will benefit from free use of one of Freedom Leisure's extensive network of centres, spanning more than 100 leisure centres across England and Wales.

For full details and to apply, visit freedom-leisure.co.uk/flair.