A community initiative in Wiltshire has saved a leisure centre from closure. Following a prolonged battle, a group of local residents and business people have been handed the keys for Calne Leisure Centre.

The Calne Leisure Action Group (CLAG),was formed after North Wiltshire Leisure Ltd went into liquidation last November, leading to the closure of six leisure centres.

DC Leisure took over four of the contracts, but the former White Horse Leisure Centre looked set to become history, until a group of committed locals was granted the license to run the centre as a not for profit organisation.

The committee is made up of a collection of unpaid local councillors and representatives of local clubs and organisations.

It is hoped the centre will reopen in January, and now CLAG is appealing to local people to buy shares and give their time to help with the refurbishment.

Chair of CLAG, Kevin Wells, says: “There is still a lot more to do and the next phase, the refurbishment, can now begin in earnest. We still need the help of local tradesmen and the general public to carry out the 321 identified tasks that need to be completed before 4 January.”