HEALTHY hubs across the borough have been saved from council cuts after cash was found to keep the facilities running as normal.

Dudley Council built five hubs across the borough in 2010, following a £4.5m government grant to tackle obesity.

But when that money ran out, the council had to look elsewhere for the £400,000 a year it takes to keep the popular hubs open and staffed.

Activities on offer at the hubs, located at parks in Stourbridge, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Halesowen and Coseley, include Nordic walking, exercise classes and table tennis.

Outdoor gym equipment and multi-use games areas were also installed to encourage residents to keep fit.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for health, said: “Given the huge success of our healthy hubs programme, we have been able to identify resources within the council’s office of public health to ensure we keep current staffing levels, from April 2015.

"It is clear to us from the public’s response to the programme how valued it is, and I’m delighted that office of public health are able to help, even in these challenging financial times.”