Eight sport and leisure centres in Cornwall are to reopen this month, including Helston - but five will continue to remain shut.

In a joint statement, Cornwall Council and GLL, which operates the centres on the council's behalf, have announced plans for reopening.

It follows the recent announcement by culture secretary Oliver Dowden that leisure centres, gyms and pools will be allowed to reopen from July 25.

The council said that this would happen in phases in Cornwall, prioritising centres best suited to being Covid-secure in the first instance and then gradually rolling out others.

They include the gym and fitness classes at Helston Sports Centre but not the pool, and Truro Leisure Centre where the gym, fitness classes and swimming pool will be open.

GLL, a charitable social enterprise that employs around 900 staff in Cornwall, also revealed that the cost of keeping centres in hibernation for four months with no income, and the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on how services will be delivered, had resulted in a total funding shortfall of around £5 million.

It said: "Negotiations are continuing to find a solution to what has become a serious financial challenge and, together with local MPs, we have jointly been lobbying Government for a rescue package similar to the one that is now in place for the arts.

"Leisure centres provide an essential public service and we are really looking forward to welcoming customers back."

The full list of centres in Cornwall opening on July 25 is:

Bude Leisure Centre – gym and fitness classes only.

Liskeard Leisure Centre – gym and fitness classes only.

Bodmin Leisure Centre – gym, fitness classes and outdoor tennis only.

St Austell Leisure Centre – gym, fitness classes and swimming pool.

Newquay Waterworld – gym, fitness classes and swimming pool.

Helston Sports Centre – gym and fitness classes only.

Truro Leisure Centre – gym, fitness classes and swimming pool.

Newquay Trampoline & Play Park – trampoline area, subject to final review of Covid-safe options.

The following centres will not be in the first round of reopening:

Ships & Castles Leisure Centre, Falmouth.

Launceston Leisure Centre.

Saltash Leisure Centre.

St Ives Leisure Centre.

Wadebridge Leisure Centre.

Like theatre venues across the country, the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth will also remain closed in accordance with government guidelines.