THERE were more than one million visits to gyms, swimming pools and sports halls in South Tyneside last year.

According to council figures, there were 1,097,324 admissions to its six leisure centres in 2017/18, almost half of which were at Haven Point, in Pier Parade, South Shields.

Total income from across the service was £3.4m.

Speaking at a full council meeting at South Shields Town Hall, Cllr John McCabe said: “For children going to school on our borough, obesity levels are about 11 per cent. It’s our duty to provide good leisure facilities.

“Despite austerity and because we’ve had good leadership, we’ve been built these facilities and hope, as the ancient Greeks and Romans used to say, that a healthy body will mean a healthy mind.”

Councillors praised the age range of full members using the leisure centres.

Out of 6,222 paying subscriptions, about 1,000 are under 24 and more than 1,500 are over 55.

There are also free and discounted entry schemes available for young people and other residents.