A new young people's card that provides easy access to services and a host of discounts in North Tyneside is now available.

North Tyneside Council has teamed up with Nexus and retail partners to launch ease EXTRA.

The card, which is for people under 25, offers combined membership of libraries and leisure facilities, exclusive discounts, proof of age and concessionary travel (under-17s only).

It was launched at Quadrant, the council's HQ, by North Tyneside Elected Mayor Linda Arkley, who launched the original ease card in 2004, Young Mayor John Akinropo and partners in the scheme.

Mrs Arkley said: "Thousands of young people in North Tyneside currently enjoy sport and leisure discounts thanks to their ease card.

"The new ease EXTRA provides some great additional benefits including retail discounts, joint library membership, and proof of age.

"It's all about making it easier for our young people to access services and save money, at a time when incomes are being squeezed."

Young Mayor John Akinropo added: "I've got my ease EXTRA card and I can't wait to start taking advantage of it. My friends are really excited about it too.

"You get really good offers at lots of different places, it's a proof of age card, you get concessionary travel and it acts as a combined library and ease card.

"Every young person should get themselves an ease EXTRA card - I'm definitely never going to leave the house without mine."

The card is free if you're aged under 17 or have priority status and costs £5 if you're aged between 17 and 24. It is available from all the council's leisure centres plus Dudley, Killingworth and Longbenton libraries.

A host organisations are offering special deals and discounts to ease EXTRA holders, including: Acorn Computer Recycling; Amanda Glen Hairdressers, Blue Reef Aquarium, Boardskillz, DFDS Seaways Ltd, Leeds Building Society, Lloyds TSB, Louise Aveyard Driving School, Newcastle Eagles, O2, Pizza Hut, Saks and Sands Ladies Leisure Club.

Just like the existing ease card, ease EXTRA also offers discounted rates at the council's sport and leisure facilities. But it can be used at libraries too, which means young people no longer need separate cards.

Meanwhile, the ease EXTRA's PASS hologram ensures the card is recognised as a proof of age card across the UK.

And for those under 17, it can be used to travel at a concessionary rate - 50p per journey, or £1 for an all-day travel ticket - anywhere in Tyne and Wear on the bus or Metro.

For further details about ease EXTRA visit the ease EXTRA pages of www.northtyneside.gov.uk.