FITNESS First's burgeoning empire of health clubs has generated lucrative spin-off business for Poole IT firm Blue Chip.

Blue Chip is implementing telephone systems for new Fitness First clubs at an average rate of one every 10 days.

Blue Chip's Robert Taylor said: "Accommodating the needs of a dynamic organisation such as Fitness First can be extremely demanding. Their rate of expansion means their supply partners must deliver on time, on budget and without mistakes.

"I am very proud to say that we play our part in each new club that opens and have delivered technology solutions as far a field as Kilmarnock in Scotland and Londonderry in Northern Ireland."

Poole-based multinational Fitness First continues to expand rapidly after earlier this year unveiling a £77 million new shares issue to help grow its empire and create up to 2,200 new jobs - 700 in the UK.

Fitness First said it intended to open 55 clubs in the UK and abroad over coming months, taking the total up to 280 by its October year-end.

Around 18 months ago Fitness First bought 11 clubs in Australia and it now has operations in Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, France and the Far East.

In February the group reported turnover up by 104 per cent to £133.1 million while pre-tax profit jumped 38 per cent to £18.1 million.