Sheffield United have come to the aid of Northern General Hospital staff affected by the closure of their on-site gym.

United are honouring the old membership packages at the hospital for staff to use their Impact gym facility in Shirecliffe and the soon to be opened gym at the club's Football and Community Centre at Crookes.

The Healthworks gym at the Northern General was forced to close before Christmas, leaving 150 members without a facility.

United are now offering those hospital members the use of their gym for exactly the same price as their original package.

Meanwhile, the club is also opening up recruitment opportunities for Healthworks gym staff affected by the closure to also make the switch to Impact.

Andrew Johns, Area Manager at Sheffield United, said: "We are pleased to help the members and allow them to continue attending fitness sessions for exactly the same cost.

"Hopefully all 150 members will take advantage of this as all our facilities are new, with the latest weights and exercise machines available to them. When our Crookes site opens in the Spring, this will double the first-class facilities on offer and provide a new venue in another area of Sheffield."

Frank Raybould, 76 from Ecclesfield, has taken-up the Blades' offer and is now attending the Impact gym at Shirecliffe.

Frank has trained regularly all his life, running in the London Marathon and local half and full marathons. He joined the Healthworks gym when it first opened 12 years ago and admits being pleased United have come to the rescue with the offer.

Frank a life-long Blade said: "I am happy Sheffield United are honouring the membership which we had enjoyed at the hospital gym.

"I train twice a week and exercise for about an hour each time, but I would like to increase this to three times per week very soon. The key to a lifetime of good health and fitness is being well motivated and disciplined, with a passionate interest to lead a healthy lifestyle."

United are currently offering founder membership packages to the first 100 people to join the new gym at Crookes, which will be open in the Spring.

The Football and Community Centre will include a grassed sport and recreational area, artificial pitch, outdoor multi-use games area, bowling green, indoor fitness suite, additional car parking facilities and an outdoor walk track.

Members will pay a fixed for life membership fee of £21 a month and receive a host of initiatives, including a gym starter pack, ten per cent off pitch hire for the first year, no administration fee, three personal training sessions worth £60 and two free guest passes.

For more information about the founder membership offer at Crookes contact Sheffield United on 0871 663 2432.