A TRUST in charge of South GloucestershireÕs leisure centres has announced a consultation on increases to what it charges people to play sport.

The Circadian Trust, the social enterprise which runs all leisure centres in the district including in Yate and Thornbury, is starting the 12-week consultation on changes to its pricing structure.

The organisation wants to reduce the number of concessions it offers, increase all prices or a combination of both.

The first option is to reduce concessionary discounts to mirror the national average of 33 per cent but retain maximum discounts for those most in need. If that option is agreed, it would be applied to students, under-16s, over 60s and the disabled.

The second option is to increase prices for everyone, including people who receive discounts, by up to three per cent above inflation.

The trust said the price hikes were needed to protect the future of its leisure centres following reduced funding from central government.

Chief executive Mark Crutchley said the trust had been working closely with South Gloucestershire Council over the proposals and was committed to fair pricing for all.

He said: "Our aim is to provide fairly priced leisure centres and services for all of our customers. This includes a reasonable and consistent discounted pricing system for people who need it.

"As a charitable business we reinvest all our profits back into the facilities and services we deliver. As such, we need to change our pricing structure to protect the future of all our services and continue to provide a quality and value-for-money sports and leisure programme for everyone in South Gloucestershire."

He added: "It is very important to us to hear as many customerÕs views and thoughts on the options we are putting forwards in this consultation."

Earlier this year, the trust came under fire from members of Yate Indoor Bowls Club after leasing the hall they played in to King Edmund Acrogymnastics Club in what was considered to be a more profitable move.

Drop in consultation events on tariffs are being held at Thornbury Leisure Centre on Monday, September 3 (9am-1pm) and at Yate Leisure Centre on Thursday, September 13 (10am-2pm). Changes will come into effect from January 2013. For more information about the proposals visit www.circadiantrust.org