About 260 fitness fans who lost out when a health club chain was forced to close last weekend have been offered a deal by a council leisure service.

Clients of the Classic World of Fitness chain were shocked by the sudden shutdown of four County Durham fitness centres - at Crook, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe and Darlington.

Owner Martin Yates Brown said he had to cease trading because he could not pay staff.

Scores of members were left out of pocket.

Now former members who signed up to a Leisure Finance payment plan have been told they can transfer to Wear Valley District Council's leisure clubs at Crook or Bishop Auckland, which use the same scheme.

Andrew Frankcom, the council's leisure facilities manager, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to help those individuals who have been caught up in this failed business.

"We must stress, however, that we are unfortunately only able to transfer those members who are on a Leisure Finance payment plan."