THOUSANDS of Tendring residents are to receive free council leisure centres vouchers.

The new scheme will see vouchers sent to each of the district’s 70,000 council tax-paying households.

It comes after a popular free residents’ parking scheme in council car parks got the go-ahead for the third year running.

The vouchers, which will be sent out next month with the free parking permits, can be used at any of Tendring Council’s leisure facilities including Clacton, Frinton and Walton, and Brightlingsea.

Council leader Mick Page wants to give residents more for their money. “We have frozen our share of the council tax bills so we are not putting any increase on people living in our district,” he said.

“And when people receive their demands next month they will also find a nice surprise in the form of the parking permit and the activity voucher.

“The voucher can be taken to any of our leisure facilities and exchanged for an available activity of their choice.”

The vouchers allow free use of an activity at any council site and can be used by any member of the family.

Mr Page added: “A grandparent may wish to hand it on to a son, daughter or grandchild – the choice will be theirs.

“It will be an opportunity for residents who may never have been to one of our facilities before to try them out and they may decide to become a regular user.”