Three leisure centres in Essex are set to benefit from a share of £930,000 after Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) recommended plans to invest in improved facilities.

The council's cabinet will be asked on 16 February to approve £800,000 towards the creation of a new movement studio and an extended fitness suite at Loughton Leisure Centre as part of the proposals. Meanwhile, a further £130,000 is set to be invested in new equipment for Epping Sports Centre and Ongar Leisure Centre, which will help reduce management fees for operator Sports Leisure Management (SLM).

According to a report due to go before EFDC's cabinet, "Proposals put forward by SLM appear to meet those primary objectives in that the provision of £930,000 of capital will result in a revenue saving, through a reduced management fee, of approximately £150,000."