Although car production fell last year because of the collapse in demand, the government's car scrappage scheme, introduced in May and extended in September, has been credited with boosting demand. The scheme offers a £2,000 incentive to scrap old cars and buy new ones.

The BBC reports that the SMMT estimates the scheme has been responsible for about a fifth of all new car registrations since its introduction in May last year. In particular, european car sales rose by 16% in December, marking signs of recovery in the sector after another tough year. The next key month for the industry is February 2010 when it is anticipated that the scrappage scheme's funding will run out.

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Figures from the market research company Mintel suggest there will be an extra 16 million visits made to leisure centres and swimming pools this year as people look for cheaper alternatives to expensive private health club memberships.

Many private clubs charge in excess of £50 per month (as well as a registration fee) to use their gym and swimming pools whilst council-run leisure centres usually charge no more than £30 a month.

Joe Bowe, company secretary at Kendal Lakes Leisure, which runs ex-council leisure centres said: "We are definitely picking up customers from private gyms." On an annual basis, his membership numbers have increased by 8 per cent.

Private health clubs are reluctant to give out numbers, but privately they admit to losing members, especially those based in the City of London.

Islington council in London, the home to many workers that have lost their jobs in the City, said that it had seen an increase in the number of members signing up in recent months.

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