People keeping fit have boosted business at leisure centres in south Oxfordshire.

South Oxfordshire Leisure Limited, which runs the sports and arts centres in the district, reported a 23 per cent increase in numbers on last year.

The organisation took on the centres which used to belong to South Oxfordshire District Council.

Managing director Stuart Henshaw said visits to health and fitness suites boosted numbers of people going to the centres, formerly run by South Oxfordshire District Council.

Summer and school holiday programmes for children, and a wider range of leisure activities for adults, had also resulted in more people attending.

Mr Henshaw commented: "The staff across the centres have clearly delivered a quality service.

"These results, and our gaining charitable status, make the last year one to remember."

SOLL took over the centres at Thame, Wallingford, Wheatley, Didcot and Henley two years ago and in the first year saw attendances rise by nine per cent.