When heading to the gym in the new year, it won’t be just trainers, a tracksuit and a towel for afterwards that you’ll need to remember.

From January 2, the three leisure centres run by Newham Council – East Ham, Newham and Balaam – are set to become cashless.

Users will be able to book sessions or hire courts using their credit or debit cards online, by telephone or at one of the new computerised customer booking point.

The bookings would then be registered onto the associated membership card, with non-members receiving a ticket with a barcode on to allow access to the centres.

Staff from activeNewham, who operate the centres, will be on hand at all times to help people use the machines and deal with enquiries.

The system is already in use at Manor Park Fitness Centre, which opened in June.

Cllr Ian Corbett, mayoral advisor for environment and leisure, said: “We want to help as many people as possible to get active so they can lead healthier and longer lives.

“To do this we need to make our centres as easy and welcoming as possible for people to use.

“Making our centres cashless will help cut the lengthy waiting times some have experienced and make them even more attractive places to visit.”

Currently, only around five per cent of the 100,000 monthly visits made to the three leisure centres are paid for using cash.

The cashless system will also be used at the new Atherton Leisure Centre, which is due to open in the spring.

For more information on the new system, visit activenewham.org.uk/cashless