DISTRICT chiefs have rubber-stamped a £40,000 package of improvements for Purbeck Sports Centre.

Purbeck District Council (PDC) members agreed the move at their latest full meeting.

Items on the agenda included a ruling on a new £20,000 lift for the Wareham sports centre and a new hot water boiler, which, according to the recommendation from council officers, £18,000 could be allocated for.

The district council, Dorset County Council and The Purbeck School have signed a lease agreement for the management and operation of the sports centre up until March 2019.

Ahead of the decision to grant funding, a report to PDC explained: "The boiler earmarked for replacement is located in the back plant room and is one of two installed 19 years ago.

"One of the boilers has already stopped working and it is not possible to source new parts for the broken boiler, and it has been taken out of action."

Meanwhile, it is proposed to schedule the work on the new lift during a quieter period of the year, "to ensure minimal disruption to customers and the school."

PDC members met at Westport House, Worgret Road, Wareham.