PRICES at the borough's leisure centres went up by an overall 5.5 per cent on January 1.

Examples of increases include adult swimming (up 10p to £2.40), junior swimming (up 5p to £1.20), badminton (up 25p to £5), and indoor bowling (up 40p to £7.60 per mat).

Swimming clubs face a £4 per hour increase in the club hire rate, while membership of the gyms will remain at a maximum £27 per month. Price lists are available from the centres.

Councillor Siobhan Costello, executive member for community services, said: "Considerable investment has been made in refurbishing facilities in the last two years, but we have faced increases in costs, particularly in terms of energy.

"We remain the lowest spending authority on leisure across Greater Manchester and continue to offer very good value for money."