“I was pleased to have the opportunity during Culture, Media and Sport Questions at the House of Commons yesterday to ask Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Tessa Jowell her opinion on whether the high cost of the Olympics is likely to deflect funding from our vital local facilities,” said North Wiltshire MP James Gray.

“I was disappointed by the Secretary of State’s response - she did not seem able to give me any assurances that our leisure centres in North Wiltshire would not suffer because of the Games in 2012. This is disappointing, especially given that they have already received such a battering at the hands of the previous Liberal Democrat Council.”

“As I pointed out in my question to her, 19% of women take part regularly in sport, compared to 25% of men. Personally I think that engaging more women in sport on a local level in areas like ours is of crucial importance, excellent though it is that we are hosting the Games in London in a few years’ time.”