Blandford’S threatened leisure centre has received a financial boost from the town’s Gurkha community.

Soldiers and their wives serving at Blandford Camp with the famed Nepalese regiment raised nearly £770 for the leisure centre in Milldown Road. Cllr Steve Hitchings, the chairman of North Dorset District Council, said he was delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of the Blandford Leisure Centre Action Group.

“Blandford has a long and proud history of friendship with Gurkhas who come to this area and we are always very pleased to see them at Blandford Leisure Centre,” said Cllr Hitchings.

Just over £517 was raised from the sale of Gurkha food at last month’s Georgian Fayre in Blandford. A further £250 was raised from boxing contests at the camp.