CONCERNS have been raised over plans which could see up to seven leisure centres in Caerphilly county borough closed.

Caerphilly County Borough Council, which manages more leisure centres than any other local authority in Wales, has said in the current financial climate it is no longer able to keep all its facilities open.

A consultation into a 10-year revamp of leisure facilities - which could see one or more of the centres in Pontllanfraith, Cefn Fforest, Bedwas, Heolddu, St Cenydd, the Sue Noake centre in Ystrad Mynach and New Tredegar closed - recently finished.

But, speaking in the Assembly earlier this week, South Wales East AM Steffan Lewis said he was concerned closing these facilities would not be a good move.

"As we approach a health ticking time bomb in terms of lack of physical activity and obesity, is it really appropriate that, at this point, we make it harder for citizens in Caerphilly to be physically active?"

The Plaid Cymru AM also said some members of the public had found the consultation "very rigid".

"They would have liked an opportunity to elaborate further on their views, and some of the multi-option questions being asked are not particularly broad in their range," he said. "That really raises questions about the confidence local people can have in the consultation and that their views are being taken seriously."

Leader of the House Julie James said she shared concerns, but this was a matter for the council.

A Caerphilly Council spokesman said the matter would be considered at a special meeting of the authority's Scrutiny Committee before going before its cabinet in mid November at a date to be confirmed.