WIRRAL Council is uniting with local businesses to boost health in the borough.

Gusto Restraurant and Bar and Christopher Boyton hairdressing salons are among several well-known companies to have signed up as “launch partners” to a new loyalty scheme offering discounts to members of the council’s fitness initiative - Invigor8.

Councillor Chris Meaden, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said companies involved in the project “will be able to communicate directly with our members - boosting their business.”

Members will get money-off “rewards” from participating companies.

The scheme is to be launched at Gusto in Heswall next Monday.

Laura Jayne Hall, the restaurant’s business development manager, said: “Gusto was one of the first businesses to sign up to this new initiative and we were very keen to get on board with such a quality offer.

“We look forward to welcoming Invigor8 members as our customers and are happy to advise them on healthy but delicious menu choices they can incorporate into their fitness regime.”

Invigor8 will also unveil details of a new mobile phone app giving customers instant access to details of fitness sessions, exercise classes, gym opening hours and motivational tips.

Councillor Meaden added: “Incentivising people to retain their memberships puts our facilities on a more sustainable, stable footing."

‘The Loyalty Factor,’ will offers discounts at: Wirral Sports & Leisure, Christopher Boyton Hairdressers, Gusto, Heswall, the Green Rooms Spa, Wallasey, Ian David Hairdressers and Walsh’s Garage, Birkenhead.

New businesses may be added at a later date.

The local authority says it is one of a range of new schemes it has introduced as part of efforts to increase and retain gym and fitness membership, so boosting income.