Oldham veterans will be given discounted use of borough leisure centres in a move to help their health and wellbeing.

Oldham Labour had proposed the move, which was voted through at the meeting of the council on Wednesday (July 10).

According to the 2021 census, there are around 6,000 veterans of the regular or reserve armed forces who live in Oldham.

Data has also shown Oldham also has lower levels of physical activity than the average across England, and the hope is the increased and regular physical activity of veterans will benefit their health and wellbeing.

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Cllr Ken Rustidge, who represents the Failsworth East ward and served in the army reserve for more than 40 years before retiring as a major, said: "Let’s make it easier for our veterans to keep physically active.

"As an army reservist, I know the commitment made by regular and reserve forces to the defence of our country.

"This change will be one way of helping those men and women who have served and benefit their health and wellbeing."

Council leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, said: "Oldham Council is working hard to improve the level of physical activity across the borough.

"Our health and wellbeing board has worked with partners to produce a strategy the get Oldham ‘Moving more’ as the positive benefits of physical activity for our physical health and mental wellbeing are well known.

"This new discount is one extra way of helping our veterans Oldham Council will be proud to introduce."