THREE-YEAR-OLD Lee Robins has helped a sports centre reach an important milestone.

The youngster, from Hartlepool, has become the 1,000th member of the town's Brierton Community Sports Centre.

To mark the event, the centre has given Lee free membership for a year, plus some free sessions for his mother, Sharon, father Gary and older brother Tony.

The package includes indoor football and swimming sessions, as well as a party for his fourth birthday.

Lee, who is autistic, will also be able to enjoy Kool Kids - a sports group for children with special needs that meets at the centre once a week.

Mrs Robins said: "Like most youngsters, Lee is very keen on lots of sports and activities and we thought it would be a great idea to enrol him at the centre.

"We got quite a surprise when it turned out Lee was the 1,000th member."

Opened in October, the sports centre's facilities include a sports hall, fitness suite, floodlit netball and basketball courts, and a creche.

Karen Hyrons, sports centre manager, said: "As Lee shows, you are never too young to take up sport."

For more details about the centre, contact (01429) 287606.