CEREDIGION leisure centres will open a month earlier than planned, the council announced today, following a backlash against plans to keep facilities shut until July, and ongoing low virus rates in the county.

Indoor leisure facilities will reopen at Aberaeron Leisure Centre, Lampeter Leisure Centre, Lampeter Swimming Pool, and Penglais School Sports Hall in the week beginning 7 June.

The council had previously said the facilities would stay shut until "at least July", despite the go-ahead for reopening given on 3 May by the Welsh Government. A petition was set up to fight the move, and the MP called on the council to reopen facilities.

And today, Thursday, the council announced the centres would now reopen in June.

They said: "As a result of the current infection rates in the county and the latest Public Health Wales advice, a decision has been made to bring forward the date of the reopening of indoor sport and physical activity provision in Ceredigion County Council operated facilities."

The updated timetable is:

Wellbeing Walks - 17 May

Outdoor Exercise Classes; Community Organisations use of Outdoor Facilities including Astro Turf Pitches (Lampeter, Ysgol Bro Teifi and Synod Inn), Playing Fields – 28 May onwards

Indoor Leisure Facilities at Aberaeron Leisure Centre, Lampeter Leisure Centre, Lampeter Swimming Pool, and Penglais School Sports Hall including Community Organisation use – Week commencing 07 June onwards.

The activities remain dependent on there being no significant increase in the number of cases in the county, the council spokesperson added.

The "significant decommissioning and re-instatement works" have commenced at Plascrug Leisure Centre they said, following its use as a field hospital, but no date has been set for its reopening.

Cardigan Leisure Centre remains closed as it is currently being used by Hywel Dda University Health Board as a Mass Vaccination Centre.