South Oxfordshire District Council has put on hold proposals to build a new leisure centre in Didcot.

The recession and consequent slump in the housing market has forced the council to postpone plans to replace the ageing Didcot Wave facility with an updated centre at a new site.

The new sports centre would have provided the local community with a swimming pool and a training pool, an eight-court sports hall, squash courts, a gym and a dance studio, as well as an artificial turf pitch, a multi-use games area and tennis courts.

However, the council intends to proceed with plans to create a £500,000 artificial turf pitch, possibly near Willowbrook Leisure Centre and Didcot Town Football Club in Ladygrove, to help meet immediate local sports needs.

Bill Service, cabinet member for leisure, said: "While there could always be more leisure facilities available, and Didcot will need additional facilities as the town grows, residents currently have a number of quality facilities available to them.

"Unfortunately, the recession has delayed the provision of a new leisure centre until the housing market improves. Meanwhile, we are investigating options to help meet local sports needs in the short term."