Managers at a cash-strapped leisure centre are asking Oxford Mail readers for ideas on how to boost its popularity.

Staff at the Castle Leisure Centre in Wallingford launched the survey following the announcement that the centre was facing a £150,000 shortfall after its first six months in business

The £1.8m centre, built in the grounds of Wallingford School, St Georges Road, opened at the beginning of April amid a blaze of publicity.

But it has been plagued by low attendances and heavy losses.

The centre, which boasts four badminton courts, a dance studio and a cafe-bar, was originally expected to break even after six months.

Manager Ray Boulton warned that, if things did not improve, staff cuts would be inevitable.

He said: "Although the situation has improved since the summer there is still a lot of room for improvement.

"But once people know we are here, I am sure they will use it."

He added: "We need to find out why so many people are not using the centre. We don't know if it is because of poor publicity, lack of interest, or if people are just unaware of what goes on here."

Story date: Tuesday 23 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.