The number of people using Glasgow City Council's leisure centres has increased by half a million over 12 months thanks to an experiment to introduce health club-style facilities.

The Glasgow Club was introduced by the Council in February 2000 due to a customer demand for leisure facilities similar to those in the private sector. The club is now on target for 10,000 members by April 2002, helping to achieve the council's vision for a healthier city.

Convener of cultural and leisure services, Bailie Liz Cameron said: The number of people taking part in leisure activities in Glasgow has increased with a very positive effect on health, and the Glasgow club has trebled its membership in the same period, which is currently just over 8,000.

Scotstoun will be the first of the Council's six main leisure centres to extend its facilities to meet the increased demand, and will close until January for refurbishment.

Membership of the Glasgow Club costs £30 a month, and passport membership, especially designed for people on lower incomes, costs £20.