A leisure centre manager has produced a damming report into the state of the swimming pool changing rooms.

Geoff Cooper, of Witney's Windrush Leisure Centre, listed more than ten problems in a report which went to West Oxfordshire District Council's leisure and tourism committee.

Mr Cooper said people were being put off by the poor changing rooms, which were built in 1975.

He said: "Swimming attendances have started to decline and this would appear from the comments of the customers to be connected with the poor facilities for changing.

"People expect a better standard, more comfort and improved facilities. There really isn't much that can be said in favour of the swimming pool changing facilities. They were built in 1975 and similar facilities built around this time in Oxfordshire have been refurbished."

Problems include no facilities for people with disabilities, lack of space, worn out fittings and poor heating and ventilation. Plans for a £2.5m revamp of the council-run centre were postponed after changes to the rules regarding Lottery funding of such projects.

Councillors are now considering including £600,000 in next year's budget to improve the changing facilities. The chairman of the leisure and tourism committee, councillor Barry Norton, said: "Something needs to be done and it is time we bit the bullet.

"We have put in a bid for £600,000 as a priority in the budget but inevitably something will have to give."

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