Sport England has joined forces with leisure operators and local authorities to help cut costs and relieve pressure on budgets without affecting community programmes and provision.

The agency will be running seminars outlining strategic solutions that will safeguard facility provision, while achieving up to 30 per cent savings in revenue and capital expenditure.

Surrey's Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre will host the first seminar tomorrow (1 November) and speakers will include Sport England property director Charles Johnston.

Seminars are also scheduled for 7 November at Heywood Sports Village, Rochdale, and 6 December at Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

The events will also see the launch of the Affordable 25m Community Pools guide, produced by Sport England in conjunction with the Amateur Swimming Association.

Under the approach, building costs will be £2.1m-£4m; operating budgets will generate a surplus of £24,000 per year; and pools could be opened within two years of a decision.

Charles Johnston said: "We believe sport is critical to building the happy and healthy communities that local councils want to see.

"By highlighting some of the great examples of efficient and innovative work by local authority leisure services and leisure operators, we hope to help councils make the strategic decisions that will deliver more sport for less."

Details: www.sportengland.org