DALGETY BAY Sports and Leisure Centre will see increased opening hours following a public consultation period.

The Fife Sports and Leisure Trust recently used an independent research consultancy to question more than 1000 people on the future of facilities.

There were also 47 community groups and 11 elected officials consulted within areas set to benefit from greater access.

Results showed that 91 per cent of those asked believed that sports and leisure services were important for community use and, while the trust's centres were rated highly, opening hours were a key barrier to access.

Dalgety Bay will see an additional 15 hours of open time, with no closures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and an increase at weekends from 9am to 4.30pm.

Emma Walker, chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: "I’d like to thank all those who took part in the consultation and for their contribution to a very thorough consultation process.

"The results of the consultation are important for the trust and will drive forward our planning and delivery over the coming months – not only on the additional hours but on the wider relationship with communities to encourage greater participation in physical activity.

"Customers attendances are going to be crucial in the long-term viability of the increased timetables."

More details on when updated timetables will come into use will be released in the coming weeks.