KEEP-FIT fans who lost hundreds of pounds in membership fees when Northwich's Active Images gym closed have been thrown a lifeline by the new owners.

LA Fitness is to re-open the gym, on Leicester Street, in the late Spring and will be offering a special deal for former members.

The Active Images gym closed in November and went into liquidation, and despite former owner Gerry Godfrey's claims to try and honour membership fees, members have so far received nothing.

Managing Director of LA Fitness, Fred Purok, said: "We will be making special membership offers for the former members of the Northwich gym.

"We have still got to iron out the exact nature of the offers but they will be given a good deal."

The members were, however, recently disappointed to learn from Salford Receivers' Crawfords that they were not on the list of Active Images' creditors - because they paid fees through a separate company owned by Gerry Godfrey.

LA Fitness sees Northwich as a perfect opportunity to expand into Cheshire and have promised a gym, a 25 metre pool, dance studio, health and beauty, and creche facilities.

The London-based firm is a thriving business which has been up and running for more than 15 years and now has 30 gyms.

Former Active Images member Steve Barker said: "It is great news because Northwich needs a new gym, but we will have to wait and see what kind of deal former members will be offered."

LA Fitness will be offering membership to new members before the opening with monthly fees expected to be about £35.