A DECISION to scrap exercise referral schemes has been criticised by people who use and rely on them.

Durham County Council has decided to stop exercise on prescription for people across the county, starting from April 1.

The council-funded gym memberships enabled people to use facilities for a reduced price or in some cases for free, providing a GP had referred them.

65-year-old Margaret Thompson, of Middleton-in-Teesdale, was referred to an exercise class in Barnard Castle after a stroke in 2012 left her unable to control the right hand side of her body.

Since starting the classes Mrs Thompson has strengthened her muscles and taught herself how to walk again, the exercise also helps her to maintain a healthy weight.

The council said the Government’s decision to transfer Public Health services to local authorities was part of a move to refocus the service on working more closely with local communities.

Mrs Thompson's husband Alan said: “When they stop the classes I don’t know what Margaret will do, we will have to struggle on and try to find some other way that Margaret can exercise."

“I think it’s disgusting. It’s not just Margaret who will be affected it’s everybody across the county.”

Mrs Thompson pays £2.15 towards the weekly class which enables her to exercise the muscles in the right side of her body using specialist equipment that isn’t available in a standard gym.

Anna Lynch, Durham County Council’s director of public health, said: “As a result of this, some countywide services such as the exercise referral scheme will come to an end.

"However the council is continuing to support sport and physical activity through leisure centres as well as partnership initiatives."

An exercise group in the village hall in St John’s Chapel, upper Weardale, has also raised concerns over the decision to axe exercise referrals.

Fred Thompson, councillor of Stanhope Parish Council, said: “Weardale worries me because we are just losing everything up here. I know this is county wide so I am speaking for the county.

“We’ve lost care homes, a SureStart centre, we're losing all of the grants for the village halls, and yet the council is spending £600,000 on Lumiere in Durham.” He said.

“Most of us who exercise here have had a stroke or hip or knee replacements.

“People aren’t going to stop having strokes and needing exercise in a safe environment. Losing the scheme is going to put further cost and burden on the NHS.”