LEISURE centre bosses have asked Braintree Council for a £111,000 bail-out to help them survive the coronavrius crisis.

Fusion Lifestyles, which runs centres in Braintree, Witham and Halstead, has requested financial support from the council to help it cover running costs in May and June.

Leisure centres have been closed since March to slow the spread of Covid-19 and the Government has yet to announce when they can reopen.

Fusion received a £55,600 grant from Braintree Council to cover its costs in April, and it is now asking for similar financial support for the past two months.

Details about the request have been published in the agenda for Monday night's cabinet meeting.

Fusion has been able to reduce some of its costs by placing staff on the Government's furlough scheme and reducing day-to-day utility costs.

But the council report shows the extra grant is needed to cover management fees, residual costs and energy fees.

Council bosses have recommended councillors approve funding for Fusion but the report warns a similar request for help will likely be made again in September.

The cabinet meeting will he held virtually and streamed live on YouTube from 7.15pm.