A sports centre could be opened to the public and new facilities added when it is taken into public management in February.

Ongar Town Council has completed a public consultation on its sports centre in Love Lane, Ongar, currently leased to Ongar Social and Sports Club.

Following the consultation, the authority plans to expand the services offered at the site to encourage more people to use the centre.

Basketball, bowls and table tennis came out top in a respondents’ ‘wish list’ and respondents also expressed an interest in pilates and yoga.

Town clerk Aimi Middlehurst said: “The views expressed in the consultation echo those of the council - the facilities are not being used by as many people in the local community as they could be.

“The introduction of additional sports would be welcomed by many people and this remains the intention of the town council - to ensure the venue is one for the wider Ongar community.”

The council is currently advertising for a full-time manager for the Love Lane facility.