Stratton St Margaret Parish Council has applied for a £1m loan from the secretary of state to update its 30-year-old leisure centre.

Stratton Leisure Centre has seen substantial increases in trade over the last two years, but is starting to show signs of age. The loan would be used to make improvements, as well as add an all-weather grass pitch and potentially convert squash courts into a new health and fitness suite.

Chair of the parish finance committee, Nigel Chalk, says: “The main thrust of the investment will be to develop both the existing business and create new business, thus reducing its costs.”