The sports hall at Bromsgrove's Dolphin Centre has been closed - following health and safety concerns.

Officers from Bromsgrove District Council announced the decision today (Monday) following a recent health and safety inspection.

The hall is located in the former Dolphin Centre which is next door to the newer Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre.

It has been used by badminton players and community groups despite the rest of the centre being closed for some time.

However, following a number of security and safety issues identified, the site has been closed with immediate effect to ensure safety of our users.

A statement from the council said officers were looking at arrangements, including site security and regular users of the facility have been informed of the decision.

The council’s portfolio holder for leisure, Cllr Peter Whittaker, said: “The safety of the users, and the public, is of paramount importance to us and our recent risk assessment required us to close the building immediately”

The future of the hall has been controversial since the Dolphin centre closed.

Bromsgrove Council had hoped to be able to use Bromsgrove North High School's facilities instead but that deal fell through on the grounds that the school needed the sports hall for their own sports requirements and exams.

For a brief moment, a refurbishment of the old sports hall was considered but, after considering quotes, the council decided to have it demolished to make way for a car park.

Only last week Labour vowed to build a new sports hall for the town if it was elected to run the council in May.

Labour leader Cllr Dr Michael Thompson, candidate for Charford, said: "The community groups and businesses that used the sports hall have either been displaced or disbanded – some paying business rates to other towns.

"Whichever way you look at it, this decision has damaged the economy, and physical and mental wellbeing moral the town."