LEISURE centres in Salisbury and Amesbury will be offering free health MOTs to visitors this month.

Between September 18 and 22, all venues run by Wiltshire Council will be offering a number of free checks to visitors – along with a free seven-day leisure centre pass for those taking part.

Leisure centres taking part include Amesbury Sports Centre and the Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre, in Salisbury.

Health checks will include a blood pressure check, resting heart rate, Body Mass Index (BMI) and a consultation into exercise and healthy lifestyle.

The checks are being orffered around National Fitness Day, on September 20, which is said to be the UK’s most active day of the year.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for leisure, said: “We aim to help residents to prioritise and optimise their health and mental health, whilst also helping the people of Wiltshire to increase their activity levels.

“National Fitness Day highlights the importance of taking up physical activity, and we want people to view the day as a start of a bigger journey, to see that health and fitness is for life.

“I encourage everyone to take up our free health MOT. Being physically active is key to physical and mental health. It can reduce the risk of major illnesses and lowers the risk of early death by up to 30%.

“Recently, during a routine gym induction, one of our customers at Devizes Leisure Centre took up the option of a blood pressure check, which highlighted some abnormalities.

“After a visit to her GP, she is now having regular check-ups and on a treatment plan for high blood pressure, which she had been unaware of.

“With your free seven-day pass, please take the opportunity to see the facilities and have unlimited access to the gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes.

“Our staff will be happy to discuss your best membership options.”

The National Fitness Day theme for 2023 is ‘Your Health is for Life’, and the council is encouraging people to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.

To sign up for a free health check, or try council facilities for free with a seven-day pass, people should contact their nearest leisure centre.

For a full list, log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-leisure-and-sport-centres.