Residents in south Shropshire have been given a major cash boost of more than £50,000 to help kit out a new £2 million leisure centre.

The windfall from Shropshire Council will be used to equip the fitness suite and dance studio at the new Church Stretton Leisure Centre with top of the range equipment.

It is due to open on April 17.

Residents had pledged to raise £100,000 to help get the new venture – the first of its kind ever in the town – off the ground.

But despite clubbing together to raise £40,000 they looked set to fall short of their target until council chiefs stepped in.

Beryl Smith, former mayor of Church Stretton and chairman of the Leisure Trust said: “We have currently raised around £40,000 and have committed £35,000 of that to new equipment.

“We set out to raise £100,000 but the circumstances haven’t been favourable.”

She said the total cost of equipping the studio and fitness suite is around £90,000.

George Candler, assistant director for culture and leisure services, confirmed the council would contribute £55,000 towards the £90,000 cost.

Sports and leisure clubs around Church Stretton are planning a community celebration on the day of the opening at Church Stretton School, which will tie in with the official opening.

More than 60 groups have expressed an interest in taking part.

The proposal for the celebration is to feature sporting exhibitions and games, along with arts and entertainment and activities for people to join in.