IT is an acknowledged fact that everyone needs to take a certain amount of exercise, to promote better health and fitness. So the latest news that Bolton's leisure service is ailing and in desperate need of cash is not a happy prognosis for the town.

The Audit Commission's report concludes that the local service is "poor", which has come as no surprise to councillors who were already deeply concerned about local leisure centres. The Water Place alone needs a £1 million investment.

If any municipal service is classed as not "sustainable" then its future must be in jeopardy. There is too little of the corporate purse available to put cash into areas with an uncertain future.

But the services provided by our leisure centres could be vital to the health of local residents.

While the growing number of private health clubs and centres is welcome -- even though this is where the problem lies for council-run leisure services -- these are not the answer for everyone.

You need a certain amount of disposable income to join such private fitness ventures, and many local families on low incomes cannot afford this kind of "luxury".

The council is still looking for solutions to the problem, including the possibility of closing some centres or handing them over to outside trusts.

Our local leisure centres provide some basic services -- like swimming -- very well, and it would be a great shame if they had to close.

For many families this would herald difficulties in finding cheap ways to help youngsters in particular to fitness and to enjoying active hobbies.

We hope that some sort of solution is on offer to try to ensure that our local leisure services can look forward to a healthier financial future.