LEISURE centres across the Hambleton district are in line for renovation works.

The district council is to spend £648,000 on revamps fort their centres in Stokesley, Bedale Thirsk and Northallerton.

The first three will see the work undertaken later this year – including improvements to changing areas, outdoor areas and fitness rooms. Work on the Hambleton Leisure Centre in Northallerton will follow in 2014.

Bedale Leisure Centre will benefit from improvements to the swimming pool plant equipment, changing facilities and a new outdoor pitch surface - the latter supported by £80,000 from the Football Association.

Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre will have a completely new swimming pool changing area with modern amenities which will be supported by £160,000 from Sport England.

At Stokesley there will be new changing accommodation for the gym, studio and sport-based activities, along with improvements to poolside shower and toilet areas.

Stokesley will also host a new contemporary functional training and spinning studio area to improve the mix of activities available.

The council’s portfolio holder for health and leisure, Coun Peter Wilkinson, said: “This investment signals the council’s intent to improve the leisure opportunities for their residents by offering excellent modern facilities.

‘We know our leisure centres are important to our residents and also highly regarded by organisations such as Sport England - but we are constantly seeking to improve the service and are committed to this investment.”

He said the improvements were the result of an external review of the centres combined with customer feedback.