LEISURE facilities across the county could be set for a £9m upgrade after Herefordshire Council's cabinet approved funding plans.

Subject to approval of the capital programme by full council in February, millions in capital funding will be spent on Halo centres in the county.

The funding will be paid for by a borrowing programme with a schedule for repayment through rent by Halo that will mean that council taxpayers will not have to stump up any cash.

The programme will see major improvement and development works at Hereford Leisure Centre, Leominster Leisure Centre, Ross-on-Wye Swimming Pool, Ledbury Swimming Pool and Hereford Leisure Pool.

Councillor Harry Bramer, cabinet member for major contracts and assets, said: “We are clear that the council’s priorities are children and young people, keeping vulnerable people safe and boosting the economy.

"We are having to pull funding away from other areas to meet these, but this proposal shows we can still work with partners in the county to safeguard services such as leisure facilities in the county."

The work on the projects would commence during the summer of 2014.