VALE of Glamorgan leisure centres are preparing to reopen in line with the latest easing of Welsh Government coronavirus restrictions.

Barry, Colcot, Cowbridge, Llantwit Major and Penarth Leisure centres will all be open for business again from Monday (May 3) after the First Minister announced this milestone could be brought forward seven days.

Gym facilities, group exercise classes, swimming lanes and swimming clubs will be up and running, with swimming lessons the only activity not immediately available. They will restart a week later.

To keep people safe, additional cleaning will take place, some one-way systems have been introduced, and all customers will need to wear masks in certain public areas.

Holm View Leisure Centre remains in use as a mass vaccination centre so will not reopen.

Cllr Kathryn McCaffer, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Arts and Culture, said: "This is really exciting news as exercise is such an important part of looking after ourselves. It's great that people will be able to get back to doing what they love, or take up a new activity, sooner than anticipated.

"It's also really encouraging to see everyone's collective efforts in following the rules paying off and the easing of lockdown being brought forward.

"With leisure centres and other community facilities opening earlier than planned and more people being allowed to meet up outdoors things feel really positive right now."

The Council has been working closely with our partner Legacy Leisure who operate leisure centres in the Vale to make sure everything is in place for all activities to resume safely.

Bookings for the gym, pool, and other activities can be made by visiting leisurecentre.com and selecting your local facility.

Cllr McCaffer added: "I know residents will show the same sense of shared responsibility when it comes to following the rules as they have throughout the pandemic. By looking out for each other we can all play our part in keeping the Vale safe."