NEW Forest taxpayers will have to stump up more than £160,000 extra to finish off a major revamp at Ringwood leisure centre.

The district council-owned facilities in Parsonage Barn Lane was budgeted to have nearly £295,000 spent on a gym and spin studio during 2017/18, according to a report to the ruling Conservative cabinet which will discuss the matter next Wednesday.

But that expense has since jumped by more than half and the money must be found quickly to avoid delays affecting the centre's operation.

Council officers advised suspending financial regulations to speed through the extra cash, and wrote: "Timing is critical with this project to minimise loss of income and potential negative impact on the curriculum of Ringwood School, which is a major user of the centre."

Cllr James Binns, the cabinet member for health and leisure, said in the report: "I am supportive of the recommendation. Ringwood is in need of investment to increase the quality of the facilities to ensure that it is on par with our other existing centres."

The project is the latest in a series by NFDC to have overshot its initial budget, including the cost of new beach huts in Milford growing from £1.2m to £2.3m.