DORSET’S lack of physical activity is costing more than £8.4m, it has been revealed.

According to figures released by Dorset County Council, 65 per cent of the population in the area aged 14 and over do not participate in sport on a regular basis.

However, in the Leisure and Culture report, it also says the value of sport for savings to health is £147.8 million a year in Dorset.

The report says: “Sport is evidenced to result in significant savings to health costs and yet there are concerns that many of Dorset’s young people are physically inactive.”

The council says: “Leisure centres provide affordable access to exercise classes, gym equipment, sports facilities and swimming. There are currently 18 in Dorset, overseen by local authorities.

“By using public money in this way, demand for expensive health interventions can reduce as the public stay fit and healthy both physically and mentally. The councils in Dorset support local sports clubs through providing advice such as how to set up a club, fund it, and train staff.”

The report also highlights the positive impact arts and culture can have on health conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s and depression.

It says participating in arts and culture “makes communities feel safer and stronger, adds to health and wellbeing and reduces social isolation.”

For every £1 invested in the arts by the county council there is a return of £4 secured in external investment into the county.

A total of 77 per cent of people said they believed that access to cultural activities helps make Dorset a better place to live and that engagement in cultural activities contributes to an improved quality of life.

However, the report warns that “funding cuts are a significant threat to culture and leisure activities, particularly in the third sector.”

Students who study art subjects are “more employable and more likely to stay in employment than graduates from other disciplines.”

Children from low income families who take part in arts at school are three times more likely to get a degree, the report says.

While the number of businesses in the Creative Industries in Dorset grew 29% between 2010 and 2017 and contributes around £425m a year in the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area.

The council said: “Work is currently taking place on a three year business and creative industries growth project with the Dorset Growth Hub called Culture+. This has been funded by the EU with a further £482,000 from Arts Council England.”