Students and staff at the University of Cumbria are staying healthy thanks to a partnership deal with Carlisle Leisure Limited.

Hundreds of students have signed up for a Lifestyle Membership, enabling them to use the sports and leisure facilities provided by Carlisle Leisure Limited (CLL) across north and west Cumbria.

So far, more than 1500 students and 130 staff across the county have signed up and are using the various facilities on offer, including the gym, swimming pools and exercise to music classes at such facilities as The Sands Centre, Carlisle Pools, Workington Leisure Centre, Cockermouth Leisure Centre.

Recent research from within the sports industry has revealed that universities play an increasingly significant part in promoting physical activity as a lifestyle choice and students choice of university is linked to the availability of sport and physical wellbeing facilities.

The University of Cumbria is supporting the partnership to help form the 'student deal' package for those studying in the areas serviced by Carlisle Leisure, making the university a more attractive option for potential students.

The deal has also been opened up to university staff who can pay a reduced annual rate to gain access to the CLL facilities.

The scheme is part of a wider on-going partnership developing between the university and CLL which has already seen a number of students working closely with CLL, with many of the university's sports students involved in planning and delivering sports activities for local school children.

Dave Houlston, Director of Sport at the University of Cumbria said: "Our link with Carlisle Leisure encourages students and staff to engage in sport and physical activity as a lifestyle choice as well as a performance arena. It also encourages better integration between students and local communities and offers a broader range of cultural activities and events.

"We have also worked with CLL through our Sportivate projects, allowing the students to gain experience in working with local schools to pass on their knowledge and build their own experience."