A BLACKBURN man has been dubbed the ‘Referral King’ and earned himself more than a year’s free membership by signing up more than a dozen friends to Blackburn’s new leisure centre in less than 24 hours.

Sajj Riaz, who lives in Preston New Road, has been praised for his efforts in signing up members to the new £13.5 million Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, which is due to open in the town on April 1.

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Sajj said: “I was thinking about changing my gym anyway, and I called Megan Ellison at Waves water fun centre as she was dealing with the new sign ups, and subsequently signed up after my barrage of questions were answered.

“She also told me at the time if I referred a friend I would get a month’s free membership.

“The following day I decided to tell my friends and colleagues about the new gym and get them signed up, throughout the day and numerous phone calls to Megan I managed to sign up 15 new members to gain over a year’s free membership and lifetime offer of £19.50 for my friends and colleagues.

“Megan was delighted and couldn’t believe I managed to sign up so many people in the space of a day.

“She said I should come in to see Lesley Aitken, who was the head of the new sign ups.

“That following evening I went in to see Lesley who greeted me as the “Referral King” as I became known at their office.”

Lesley said: “There’s been a fantastic interest in the new Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, Phase One memberships are almost sold out.

“We’re absolutely delighted with Sajj’s efforts to encourage more people to get fit and healthy and active, it’s absolutely fantastic.

“I’m not surprised he’s managed to sign up so many people, because I’ve come across it before, but it is quite rare.

“It shows the power of word of mouth and social media, it’s great.”