ST NEOTS Leisure Centre is set to get a new £150,000 synthetic pitch because the existing one, which is used extensively by the town s hockey club, could soon become dangerous. Replacement was originally not expected until 2009, even though the pitch is a

ST NEOTS Leisure Centre is set to get a new £150,000 synthetic pitch because the existing one, which is used extensively by the town's hockey club, could soon become dangerous.

Replacement was originally not expected until 2009, even though the pitch is already three years beyond its 10-year design life. Instead, it will go ahead this year during a four-week period when bookings are at their lowest.

Councillor Doug Dew, who is the Huntingdonshire District Council cabinet member responsible for leisure, said: "The synthetic pitch will become dangerous if we don't do something in the very near future. We have put off two other non-urgent schemes to compensate."

He said the hockey club spent more than £10,000 a year to hire the facility.

The council has also approved spending £52,000 to replace the centre's "dry-side" (non-swimming pool) boiler and plant, as well as improving lighting, ventilation and toilets.

Cambridgeshire County Council will contribute more than a quarter of the cost of each scheme, because the leisure centres are extensively used by the adjacent school.