A LEISURE centre could be closed by autumn after no one stepped forward to take it over.

The axe has been hanging over Great Wakering Sports Centre since January, following Rochford District Council’s decision to scrap its £80,000 annual funding.

The authority hoped a consortium of volunteers would agree to take responsibility for the running costs and keep the centre open.

But a lack of interest has led it to start drawing up plans for a final closure on October 1.

Jeremy Bourne, the council’s head of community services, said: “Discussions relating to the centre’s operation have taken place with the local parish councils, namely Great Wakering, Barling, Sutton and Foulness.

“However, as yet, none of the parishes, either singularly or as a consortium, has expressed an interest.

“If this is still the case at October 1, the facility will remain closed and need to be boarded up and secured.”

The council outlined savings worth £1.4million earlier this year, to cope with the Government’s budget cuts.

Closing the under-used leisure centre would save it £40,000 this year and £80,000 every following year.

Because the centre is run by a private firm contracted by the council, Virgin Active, bosses have to give three months notice before shutting it down.

However, Mr Bourne revealed there was still a slim chance of saving the centre.

He said: “There have been alternative discussions with another individual who has expressed an interest in taking on the centre’s operation and maintaining its use for the community.

“This person has good knowledge of the centre. A couple of meetings have now taken place and the said party is giving the possibility further consideration, including analysing potential income and expenditure associated with the facility.”