THE PRICE of swimming, fitness classes and gym membership at Freedom Leisure run centres across the county will go up in the new year after councillors rubber-stamped a previously agreed rise.

A casual adult swim is to increase by 6.5 per cent (30p), the casual under 4 swim will be rising by 8 per cent (10p) while the junior fee will rise by 8.7 per cent (20p).

It means that at Perdiswell Leisure Centre an adult swim will cost £4.90, while the junior swim will cost £2.50.

The swimming prices for Freedom Leisure's swimming pools at Malvern Splash, Pershore, Evesham, Droitwich, and Worcester Citizens Pool have yet to be confirmed but the prices increases will apply.

Meanwhile the price of a monthly and annual membership is to rise by 1.35 per cent, a swim school membership is to go up by 3 per cent, swimming activities cost is to rise by 4.6 per cent, school swimming by 5.8 per cent, clubs and private hire (for events) by 3.5 per cent, and special swimming sessions is up by 5.6 per cent.

Unsupervised activities are to rise by 4.9 per cent, supervised activities are to rise by 4.5 per cent, and equipment hire is up by 0.8 per cent.

Use of an artificial grass pitch is to rise by 6.2 per cent, but there is to be no increase in the price of annual pass, or the pay and play price, to use tennis courts.

The fitness class fee is also to rise by 6.7 per cent (40p) per session following the return of classes at Freedom Leisure centres.

Officers in their report to councillors said: "Freedom Leisure has increased their casual charges due to the expectation that many of their employee costs will increase significantly. Wages across the group will need to increase due to the anticipated increases expected with the National Living Wage/National Minimum Wage."

The proposals were presented at Worcester City Council's latest full council held at the Guildhall on Tuesday, (November 30). Councillor Steve Mackay, chairman of the authority's Income Generation Sub-Committee, said: "This has been looked at and debated in the sub committee so I'm happy to recommend the proposal for the fees and charges, which shows an average increase across the board of 3.2 per cent."

The new charges were passed unanimously by councillors.