LEISURE centres in Ludlow and Bishops Castle look to be secure at least in the short term.

A draft strategy for leisure from Shropshire Council envisages the retention of the leisure centres in Ludlow and the SpArC facility in Bishop's Castle.

However, the council makes it clear that a long-term commitment beyond 2018/19 is not possible until the authority’s financial situation in the medium and long-run become clearer.

Shropshire Council does not have a statutory duty to provide leisure centres but it is required to promote health and well-being.

In addition to what are described as leisure hubs in Ludlow and Bishop's Castle, what are described as community leisure centres are also envisaged in a number of market towns including Church Stretton and Cleobury Mortimer.

According to Shropshire Council, the proposed strategy will mean that 89 per cent of people living in Shropshire will be within 20 minutes of a leisure centre.

“Since the indoor leisure facilities strategy for Shropshire was originally written in 2009, the severe pressures on public finances make it increasingly difficult to support a sustainable, affordable and ‘future-proofed’ offer,” said George Candler, Shropshire Council’s director of place and enterprise.

“Through this second consultation we want to fully understand the needs and views of as many members of the community as possible, to help us plan the best way to support the provision of leisure facilities in the future.

"We want to hear from people who don’t currently use leisure facilities, as well as people who do.”

“The results of the consultation will be carefully considered, and then used to inform the completion of the strategy, which will then be considered by Shropshire Council’s cabinet later in 2017.”

The strategy is open for public consultation that runs until Monday, May 8.