Unexpected costs across the district's leisure centres have required the council to stump up some extra cash.

While expected to meet its November open date, the new Waltham Abbey Leisure Centre has cost £148,000 more than expected.

Of this, £75,000 went towards a sauna and steam room added to the plans following public consultation, £13,000 to remove the hitherto unknown public highway status of part of the car park, £46,000 to divert telecommunication cables and £14,000 to install a CCTV in the centre following anti-social behaviour.

Additional costs also came at Loughton Leisure Centre, where several break-ins and persistent vandalism led to the installation of £4,000 security shutters, accessible handrails for disabled users cost £4,000 and £45,000 was spent updating ageing air-condition units in the movement studio.

In Epping, £14,000 was needed to update the fire alarm and security system, and a further £10,000 to repair the gym floor.

These additional capital costs add to the £475,000 required to survey and then demolish the St John's Road site in Epping, to make away for a new leisure centre.