THE sport and recreation services provided by Worcester City Council are fair and will probably improve says an independent report by the Audit Commission.

Their acting regional director Andy Walford said: "We believe that Worcester City Council will probably achieve significant improvements in this service because it is committed to improvements in its sports facilities."

The City Council's assistant head of cultural services Wynne Rogers said: "On the whole we are encouraged by the inspectors' remarks. Things are being done at the moment to address what they recommend. We are very customer focused and we are keen to do on-going improvements."

The inspection report highlighted a number of key strengths including growing participation at sports facilities, the council's golf course and in events and sports development initiatives.

But the inspectors also found weaknesses, including low participation by the elderly and the unemployed, despite them being made target groups.