Last year I received an offer of three years' free membership of a health club.

I decided to accept the offer and found it was not absolutely free and a fee towards club maintenance was expected.

As I was unable to pay the full amount up front, I was offered the opportunity to pay each month and signed a paper authorising a direct debit.

I believed the arrangement was between myself and the club.

I have just tried to cancel my membership on health grounds, only to be told the agreement was not with the club but with a professional marketing consultancy firm and that what I had signed was a credit agreement.

This means I am unable to cancel the payments and must continue to pay the full amount towards the maintenance of a club of which I am no longer a member.

I should have been more aware and urge readers to be absolutely certain with whom the agreements are made, and if there is a get-out clause, before signing anything.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

-C M Holmes, Clarence Square, Brighton