A new and unique membership scheme for readers, Guardian News and Media has today launched Extra, an initiate to get closer to the readers.

Extra allows readers of the Guardian, The Observer and guardian. co. uk to get closer to its journalism at regular and exclusive live events, background briefings from experts, and a host of other exclusive offerings.

The scheme also has an unparalleled range of extraordinary offers with a host of carefully selected top-flight partners, including the V&A, National Portrait Gallery, Eden Project, Alastair Sawday's Travel Club, English National Opera, and Tate Britain, to name but a few.

With special access to the papers' Editors, newsroom visits, plus interviews and events involving some of their most respected and senior journalists, Extra members will be given unprecedented access to the Guardian/Observer's multi-award winning offices in Kings Place.

Extra is aimed to truly reflect the Guardian and The Observer's editorial coverage and to explore many areas of mutual interest. It is about strengthening the most important relationship, their readership, and in turn providing a range of benefits that they wouldn't get elsewhere.

Current subscribers will automatically join the scheme as part of their package. The scheme offers a free trial until 31 August 2010 for any reader that registers at guardian. co. uk/extra. Annual membership for non-Subscribers after
31 August will be £25.