Prices are set to go up at a sports facility for those who fancy a dip.

Dorchester Sports Centre, operated by 1610, submitted its annual report to West Dorset District Council recently alongside proposals to increase prices for use of its swimming pool.

It was put before members of the authority's strategy committee, who approved the plans.

Visitors to the leisure facility, which first opened its doors in October 2012, can now expect to pay £4.20 for an adult swim (an increase of 20p), £2.85 for a junior or concessional swim (an increase of 5p), £20 per month for junior swimming lessons (an increase of £1.50) and £6.10 per adult for use of the fitness suite (an increase of 10p).

The price changes had been discussed by the centre’s stakeholder group in October, when it was recommended to the strategy committee for approval.

Cllr Stella Jones raised concerns about the sports centre going cashless, and felt that in exceptional cases the centre should accept cash so that the elderly or young people without bank cards would not be refused.

“If a child turns up with a few pound to go for a swim they won’t be able to,” she said.

Chairman Anthony Alford agreed that the option to pay with cash should be kept and asked that it be made clear to 1610 as soon as possible.

The annual report also revealed that, as of September this year, membership had increased to 1,958, compared to 1,701 at the same time the previous year.

Overall attendance has greatly improved at 334,392, compared to 295,583 the previous year.

Councillors praised work to improve some of the building’s defects - the roof of the sports centre has been repaired and the heat exchange unit has been replaced with a larger one to tackle overheating – but raised concerns over cleanliness at the centre.

Cllr Susie Hosford said: “Cleaning is still an issue. It’s not acceptable. It’s been an ongoing issue for quite some time and it’s extremely off-putting. [1610] need to up their game.

“Membership won’t go up if people don’t like what they see.”

It was noted that more cleaners were required to improve standards at the facility.