LEISURE chiefs have insisted that outreach health and fitness services in two Tynedale villages have closed only as a temporary measure – and have not been axed.

Run by Active Northumberland, the GP referral scheme Healthy Life was designed to help patients on the road to better health and fitness.

Concerns were raised after weekly sessions in Allendale and Haltwhistle stopped last month, with patients advised that they could instead attend classes at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre.

But this week Active Northumberland said the closure was temporary, due to staffing shortages.

A spokeswoman for Active Northumberland said: “This is due to staffing, and as soon as we have the personnel in place to run the classes, they will continue.

“We appreciate how useful the Healthy Life classes are, particularly in more rural areas.”

Active Northumberland has been reviewing its services, but the spokeswoman insisted that there were no plans to axe the outreach Healthy Life classes.

She reiterated that people attending the Haltwhistle and Allendale classes could attend sessions at Wentworth Leisure Centre, but accepted it was not a suitable alternative for all patients.