WEST Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre in Minehead has more people taking part in traditional sports such as badminton, squash and football than ever before.

Figures for the past year show that for the number of people taking part in the centre’s Just Play programme rose from 2,075 in 2014 to 3,708 in 2015 - an increase of 79 per cent.

The programme includes activities such as squash,badminton, walking, football, running for fun netball, social football and basketball.

Participants can turn up to play on a flexible basis instead of at fixed times.

This has proved popular with members, as has the new programme of exercise classes just launched at the centre for 2016, which includes yoga, Zumba and pilates.

The centre, run by 1610, has also been embracing new technology with the release of a new mobile app to make booking exercise classes and sport sessions more convenient.

Centre manager Jayne Lethaby said the mix of new technology and variety of activities on offer meant the centre was thriving and looking ahead to a successful 2016.

“Any leisure centre has to reflect the needs of its community to be successful and we have an exciting exercise programme which has just launched at the centre which has been warmly received with classes being fully booked,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see that traditional sports are also holding their own in the face of new exercise trends, with squash, netball and football as popular as ever.”

The centre also delivers a range of health and fitness activities in the community in partnerships with schools and other organisations.

Orienteering events are especially popular and the next is on Sunday (February 7) at Alcombe Combe. It is open to teams of six to eight people who have to navigate their way around a challenging route.

Contact 01643 708815 for more details, and also for more information about the centre and its activities.