The councillor who cut the first sod to start the building of Oswestry’s new £7.6 million leisure centre said today it was “absolutely vital” for the town that the project was completed.

The future of the scheme has been cast in doubt over concerns about the finances of building firm Frank Galliers Ltd.

Work on the Shrewsbury Road development has halted after the closure of the firm.

Councillor Betty Gull said she hoped another company, if necessary, could “pick up and run” with the project to build Oswald Park leisure centre and create a much-needed facility for the town.

The leisure centre project was initially launched by the former Oswestry Borough Council before it became part of the unitary Shropshire Council last year.

As the borough council mayor at the time, Miss Gull had the honour of cutting the first sod to launch the project, which was described as the borough council’s “legacy” to the town.

She said today she was “saddened and worried” about the situation.

Miss Gull said: “First of all you have to be saddened by any report of a company facing difficulties.”

She added: “Oswestry desperately needs a new leisure centre and I am hopeful if the contractor can’t do the work Shropshire Council will find somebody else very quickly to come along and pick up and run with the project.

“It is absolutely vital Oswestry gets this leisure centre.”

Shropshire Council spokesman Simon Alton said the authority was committed to completing the project.