Halo Leisure has achieved a Quest rating of highly commended at every one of its facilities - putting it in the top 1 per cent of Quest assessed leisure facilities in the country.

The trust's Ledbury Swimming Pool has been ranked joint third and Hereford Leisure Centre joint fifth in the country for public leisure services.

Halo is one of only two sports trusts to have achieved the highly commended rating at all of its centres, alongside Sheffield International Venues.

Alex Haines, manager of Hereford Leisure Centre, said: "We have made consistent progress year on year both in terms of service and support systems. However, the most rewarding part, as manager, is having the commitment of the staff, without their support we would not have achieved this level."

Jon Argent, chief executive of Halo Leisure, said: “I’m delighted that our centre managers and their teams have seen their hard work rewarded.

“This is an example of partnership working at its very best and shows how councils can work with organisations like Halo and in return gain top-class leisure facilities for the public.

“Our aim is to be recognised as a model of best practice in the leisure industry so we are delighted with the results of these independent inspections.”