FORMER Olympic athlete turned MSP Brian Whittle has called for free gym membership and leisure centre activities for low income Scots.

Whittle has called on the Scottish Government to back the move as part of an anti-obesity strategy for Scotland.

The South of Scotland MSP said that increasing gym use and other leisure centre activities would help reduce Scotland's problem with obesity.

However, Whittle claimed many low income Scots were unable to afford to take part in such activities due to rising costs.

“Physical activity and sport is becoming the bastion of the middle classes as the cost of access rises with councils increasing struggling to balance the books under ever tighter budgets." said Whittle.

The former European Athletics Championship gold medalist said the Scottish Government should intervene to allow councils to make leisure services free for those on low incomes.

Whittle said: "Much of the focus has been on how much money people have in their pockets; and that is indeed an important factor.

"However, related to that is the actual cost of participation.

“I would suggest that it is within the government’s tenure to allow access to council facilities for those in the more challenging circumstances.

"Only by taking practical steps to ensure access and opportunity for all means exactly that can we begin to tackle the rising epidemics of health inequality, obesity and attainment inequality.’

The Tory MSP claimed the move would lead to improved health and ease the burden on public services that help people with obesity.

Whittle, his party's spokesperson on health education, lifestyle and sport, added: “There are examples where local councils have given free access to facilities and activities free of charge for those who otherwise would struggle to be included.

“I would certainly encourage this approach to be considered across all councils in Scotland.

"The cost savings in other pagers of the government finance ledger would almost certainly pay for any initial expenditure.”

In response, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The provision of free access to council leisure facilities is clearly a matter for local authorities, some of which already provide this service.

“The Scottish Government is more committed than ever to closing inequality gaps in physical activity participation and are funding a number of projects which focus on groups where activity levels are lowest."