Bradford Council's bactive campaign has smashed through the eight million visitors mark in a record-breaking year.

For the fourth consecutive year, more than two million people have enjoyed a work-out or taken a dip at Council-owned leisure facilities since the sport and leisure service launched its bactive campaign in 2003.

In 2006/07, a total of 2,068,841 people of all ages and abilities joined in the campaign which encourages healthy living.

The total was boosted by 25,000 swimmers taking advantage of a special offer over the Easter holidays and the Council also saw the highest ever number of visitors to its fitness centres last year - 170,000, an increase of over 13 per cent from the previous year.

The number of juniors attending Council leisure facilities rose by 11,000 to an all time high, with 438,495 playing a sport, having a work-out or taking a dip.

The number of people attending activity sessions for the over 50s increased by 3,000 to 43,697, and visits by Passport to Leisure cardholders went up to 130,096 - an increase of 7,000 customers.

Bradford Council's head of sport and leisure, Steve Warner, said: "Over the last 12 months our staff have once again worked incredibly hard to improve our services and attract customers to our facilities to achieve these tremendous attendance figures.

"The combination of our bactive campaign and a sustained investment in our facilities has continued to encourage residents of all ages and abilities to be more physically active."

Over the coming year, the sport and leisure service has planned a community cohesion sports day with Bradford City Football Club for 24 primary schools from across the district, more special offers, a comprehensive programme of activities during the summer holidays, and the reopening of Doe Park Water Activities Centre later this month.