A FOOTBALL club is giving away free places on a fitness course using the same techniques as its star players.

Middlesbrough Football Club is encouraging supporters to get active, by giving away 1,000 free places on its Sport for Life programme.

Developed with the help of Middlesbrough College, the course is aimed at encouraging individuals to come up with their own fitness regimes.

It is being launched by Boro's fitness expert, Chris Barnes, the club's head of sports science.

He said: "At the end of this course, participants should be able to create a planned exercise programme for themselves, which will make them healthier and fitter."

The programme, which normally costs £175, involves completing three workbooks and takes around 90 hours.

It is flexible, with the options of studying at home or at sports clubs, with the help of a tutor from Middlesbrough College.

Anyone over 16 who is interested should contact Middlesbrough College, on (01642) 333333.