Two sports venues in Fife have become the first in the UK to use fingerprint recognition systems on their doors.
The Carnegie Leisure Centre and Pitreavie Stadium in Dunfermline have both been installed with hi-tech bio-metric security ID scanners.
Staff will have their fingerprints scanned into a computer which should recognise them on subsequent visits.
Managers believe the system, developed in Glasgow, will be more secure than conventional keys or Pin-coded doors.
They said doors requiring keys are often left unlocked and the security numbers for keypad operated entry points often become known to too many people.
No infringement
Fife Council's sports and leisure manager, Wendy Watson, said: "One of our duty managers suggested biometrics because it eliminates anyone who is unauthorised to access the reception area and it is easy to use.
"Now our security is as good in the reception area as we can get it."
The developers have insisted the system does not infringe human rights because whole fingerprints are not stored.
The system instead recognises key parts of the print.
Installation of the technology was carried out by Glasgow-based UK Biometrics.
Spokesman Scott Goldie said: "The Carnegie Leisure Centre and Pitreavie Stadium offer facilities comparable with any in Europe so installing a state-of-the art security system is an extension of that commitment to excellence.
"We are proud to be associated with a UK first for the biometrics industry."
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