A RECORD-breaking scorcher of a summer, underground pool leaks and a near-tragedy involving a young girl have hit a leisure trust's takings.

Hyndburn Leisure Trust has had to dip in to its reserves and employees could now face reduced hours as bosses look to save cash.

Income from swimming pools was hit by the closure of Mercer Hall in Great Harwood due to leaks underneath the facility.

And an incident at Hyndburn Leisure Centre in Church where a five-year-old girl had to be given CPR after getting into difficulty during a swimming lesson affected trade as well.

Bosses also say the hot summer weather affected income at all the trust’s facilities, particularly the Adventure City soft play centre at Hyndburn Leisure Centre.

Chief executive Lyndsey Sims said: “The trust has used cash reserves in-year to absorb the management fee reduction and additional unplanned financial pressures.

“Based on current projections there are immediate cash flow implications for the trust.

“The trust is currently producing a strategy to secure Hyndburn Leisure’s medium-term sustainability beyond 2019/2020. The Trust has agreed to have an action plan in place over the next 3 months identifying the action Hyndburn Leisure must take to ensure its sustainability.”

The trust manages the operation of eight leisure, sport, culture and community facilities across the borough requiring an operating budget of £2.6 million and a team of over 70 employees.

Along with other council services, it has been charged with achieving significant efficiency savings, resulting in a reduced annual grant from April 2018 of £75,000 being committed for the next three financial years.

Ms Sims warned employees could face reduced hours and that workers who resign might not be replaced.

She said: "Changes to pay scales from April 2019 will bring additional financial pressures, as lower paid roles see an in-year pay increase of up to 9.19 per cent.

"A number of reviews are being developed to identify a workforce make up which is fit for purpose and will support the Trust to become sustainable.

"Established hours are also being reviewed across all services and recommendations will be made to reduce staffing levels as required.

"Where possible this will be done by reducing the use of variable hour’s employees and when employees resign for positions."

The trust has also begun a review of its leisure estate to understand the long-term cost of maintaining or developing its facilities.

Ms Sims added: "Improving the efficiency and the income generating potential of the leisure estate is key in the trust’s journey to becoming financially sustainable and to the council’s ambition to improve resident’s health and wellbeing and to increase pride in place."

The annual report will be discussed by Hyndburn Council resources scrutiny committee members next week.