The National Lottery has turned down a £200,000 bid for money to enhance and redesign the changing rooms at Newent Leisure Centre.

But project organisers are still hopeful that they will be able to get £150,000 worth of funding in place by this autumn for a reduced scheme at the centre, based at Newent Community School.

Alan Grove, leisure services officer for the Forest of Dean District Council, said: "Yes, we are disappointed. We thought it was a good, worthwhile bid and we had identified public support."

Newent Town Council is one body that has criticised the changing rooms' "open and antiquated facilities".

Mr Grove explained that there was currently a moratorium on Sports Lottery bids, which would be in place until June. But a second lottery bid, for a reduced sum, could be put together and submitted afterwards.

He said: "Around September, we will finalise where we are going with funding. But I doubt if actual construction work will start until next year."

Mr Grove said the intent remain-ed to enlarge and enhance the swimming pool changing rooms and to do the same with the other changing rooms.

But plans to put a new corridor through the centre of the building have been shelved.

As detailed in the original specification, improvements are likely to include updated disabled facilities and modern shower cubicles.

The original plan, including the new corridor, would have required £300,000 of funding in total, with £100,000 coming from sources including Gloucestershire County Council, Forest of Dean District Council and Newent Town Council.

Mr Grove said: "Potentially, that money is still there."

Speaking at this week's meeting of Newent Town Council, the mayor, Coun Fred Passant, said the Newent Initiative scheme could help to provide funding. He revealed that he had already been in contact with the school, the site's owner, concerning this possibility.

Coun Passant said: "If we can fund through the Newent Initiative, that is the best way forward. If we fail through that route, maybe the town council should mention a figure. An application stands a lot more chance with the Lottery if community support can be shown."

The town council has agreed to formally signal its support, without mentioning, at this stage, the level of funding which it could offer.