Three leisure centres and three swimming pools are set to close until the spring in a bid to tackle spiralling energy bills.

That includes the swimming pool in the Herefordshire border town of Presteigne, leaving the local councillor "absolutely incensed".

Powys County Council has warned that all Powys leisure centres could have an extended break over the Christmas and New Year period, and some could be temporarily closed until the end of the financial year to counter the “catastrophic” cost-of-living crisis.

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The proposals include the temporary closure of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Presteigne leisure centres and swimming pools at Llanidloes, Rhayader and Builth from December 23 to March 31.

The action, proposed by the council and not-for-profit leisure operator Freedom Leisure, will be considered by the cabinet on Tuesday, December 13.

Presteigne councillor Beverley Baynham said East Radnor Leisure Centre in Presteigne could be shut from December 23 until March 31 when a decision will be made about its future.

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"I am absolutely incensed that such a decision can be taken so lightly and I will do everything I can to make sure the people of this area have the use of the facilities they deserve," she said.

Cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys Coun David Selby said: “The current energy crisis is having a devastating impact on our leisure services at a time when many are struggling to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The Council is working closely with Freedom Leisure to implement temporary measures to reduce the deficit and investigating options for long-term provision.

“We know the options we are proposing will be disappointing but to take no action would risk the future of all leisure provision and put an unacceptable burden on the council’s overall budget. Leisure provision will still be available in many other locations throughout the county.

“The temporary closures, both leisure centres and swimming pools, are based on those centres with the lowest public use, the highest costs and the greatest level of public subsidy. We are also taking into consideration the availability and distance to alternative centres.

“The action will buy us time, but we will have to carry out a thorough review of all leisure service provision in the county. The current model is unsustainable, and we must work with the people of Powys to create a structure that we can afford.”

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Former Llanfyllin Mayor, Cllr Peter Lewis said: “This is terrible news, while I understand they are just proposals, too often what is temporary becomes permanent and I don’t like the chances of leisure centres opening up again once they shut down.

“It’s awful timing given that Llanfyllin Leisure Centre is anticipating the opening of its new 3G pitch, so for the council to temporarily close the centre and take away all that momentum would be an awful situation.

“Leisure Centres become very busy in the period after Christmas with new memberships made up from people wanting to start off their year with a new activity, so a closure would cut out that block of people and set them back for the rest of the year.”