COUNCIL-RUN leisure centres will automatically freeze its members' accounts so no payments are taken when England enters a month-long lockdown this week.

As part of the Covid-19 lockdown measures which are set to be imposed from Thursday, November 5 until Wednesday, December 2, Cheshire West and Chester Council's Brio facilities in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham and Neston must close.

Brio, the community interest company set up by the local authority to operate its leisure facilities, has urged members not to freeze their accounts themselves or cancel their direct debit.

It said: "We won't be taking any payments during closures so don't worry about memberships or swimming lessons, we'll automatically freeze your account.

"It's important not to freeze yourself or cancel your Direct Debit at the bank as it will mean we won't be able to automatically restart your membership when we re-open and there may be a delay to accessing your account again.

"Any direct debits or payments due before Thursday will still be taken as unfortunately the banks are ready to process this and is not something we're able to cancel at this late stage but as it’ll freeze on Thursday, you’ll receive this time back when we reopen."

Brio added: "Our centres will be closed for the duration of the lockdown, but we’ve kept all of your favourite workouts online on YouTube and Facebook, and we’ll be working hard to bring you more.

"Don’t forget, you can also enjoy a free trial followed by our special rate with Les Mills On Demand too, if you fancy trying some of their home workouts.

"Stay up to date by checking your email is correct by logging in to your account, this is how we’ll communicate any changes about your payments, reopening and keeping active through the closures."