A SCHEME offering cut-price access to leisure and arts facilities has attracted 2,000 subscribers.

The concessionary policy was revised by Darlington Borough Council earlier this year, enabling more people to make use of sports, leisure, arts and cultural facilities.

It enabled thousands more people in the town to be eligible for the Live Darlington discount card, giving them 25 per cent off event costs.

The Dolphin Centre, Civic Theatre, Arts Centre, Eastbourne Sports Complex and Stressholme Golf Club are all involved in the initiative.

Councillor Lee Vasey, cabinet member for leisure services, said: "It is fantastic to see this scheme being so well-used and making such a wide range of activities available to people who may have previously been put off by costs."

The free scheme is available to people on benefits and their children aged under 16, over- 60s, disabled people, asylum seekers and refugees, full-time students over 16, children in the care of the council, carers, and gipsies and travellers.

Application forms are available from the Dolphin Centre's temporary reception, in Houndgate, and other council-run venues.