BANNATYNE Fitness, the largest independent health club business in the UK, has reached another landmark.

The business, which has its headquarters in Cleveland Terrace, Darlington, has just signed up its 50,000th member.

Started by entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne five years ago, it now has 19 clubs across England and Scotland.

The company will shortly enter the highly competitive London market with clubs planned for Grove Park and Chingford later this year. It expects to have a chain of 40 clubs within three years.

Mr Bannatyne, the chairman, said: "To reach 50,000 members is an important landmark for the business.

"The market has grown substantially in the past few years and the companies that have succeeded are those that give members what they want - high quality provision at the right price.

"I am convinced that in the next few years pricing will be increasingly important as the market matures. Our clubs in London will cost less than our bigger rivals.