MP Norman Lamb meeting with the North Walsham Sports Centre management committee earlier to discuss their concerns over changes.

Users of a trio of council-run sports centres in north Norfolk face a rise in fees.

North Norfolk District Council has announced a new pricing structure which follows talks with the North Walsham Centre’s voluntary management committee.

But it says the new fees will also apply to the Cromer and Stalham centres from April 1 to “put them on an improved financial footing and helping to secure their future.”

While it meant slightly higher costs, the centres continued to offer “excellent value for money” with charges that were “extremely competitive” compared to other commercial and council sports facilities.

Cabinet member for leisure John Lee said the council had always stressed it had no intention of closing the North Walsham centre, “despite some comments to the contrary.”

It has listened to the suggestions of the management committee and would also be seeking to increase the number of centre users by “making everyone more aware of the wonderful sporting opportunities on their doorsteps,” he added.

Management committee chairman Richard Palmer said they were pleased to have reached agreement and looked forward to providing sporting facilities “long into the future.”

New prices: sports hall £25 per hour; gymnasium £16 per hour; badminton court £10 per hour; birthday parties £70 for two hours; all weather pitch (Cromer only) whole pitch £45, five-a-side pitch £30; multi use games area (Stalham only) £25 per hour.