LEISURE centres across West Dunbartonshire have saw a “significant” increase in the number of residents using the facilities.

An annual performance report of West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust has shown that more than 1.5million visits were made to its three facilities in Dumbarton, Alexandria and Clydebank over the past year.

This is an increase of 7.4 per cent from the previous year.

The biggest growth recorded was the use of sports hall bookings and group fitness classes.

Details of the report were relayed to councillors at a recent meeting of the corporate services committee.

Councillor Ian Dickson said: “I welcome this report which shows a great deal of hard work is being done to make West Dunbartonshire as active as possible.

“Giving our residents access to good value, well maintained facilities is vital to support them in improving their health and wellbeing.”

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The report highlighted more success with outdoor recreation pitch use up by 17.1 per cent, and Active Schools participation up 8.1 per cent.

And more than £280,000 has been reinvested back into facilities during 2018/19 including refurbishing gyms at the Meadow Centre and Vale pool and replacing cardiovascular equipment.

Councillor Iain McLaren added: “I am encouraged to see this increased usage, as it proves our communities are enjoying the benefits of the upgraded the centres and that both children and adults alike are making the most of the variety of indoor and outdoor facilities on offer.”

Over the course of 2018/19, the trust also delivered a number of events, including the Loch Lomond Highland Games, Scottish Pipe Band Championships, and firework displays.