The roof will cost an estimated �200,000 to repair

GPs say it is "absolutely vital" that youngsters in Blaenavon, south Wales, have access to exercise.

They say the town has some of the highest rates of heart disease in Wales, often linked to obesity.

Torfaen Council, which is considering closing the leisure centre, said it did not have the money to cater for all services, and had to prioritise.

The leisure centre was damaged in a storm, and needs approximately �200,000 of repairs to the roof.

Hundreds of local residents have already protested against its possible closure.

Now, eight doctors at the Carreg Wen Surgery in the town, have added their support.

Diabetes

They said the community has among Wales's highest rates of health problems associated with lack of exercise, and have written to the council, the Welsh Assembly Government and their local MP Paul Murphy.

In a letter, the doctors have said: "We would like to point out that Blaenavon is a small, relatively isolated community with high levels of morbidity and deprivation.

"It has some of the highest rates of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in Wales, a lot of which is associated with low levels of exercise and high levels of obesity.

Campaigners say the north of Torfaen needs a leisure centre

"What particularly concerns us is the health of future generations.

"It is absolutely vital that youngsters have access to and are encouraged to exercise from an early age if there is to be any hope of them continuing to exercise as adults.

"It is also vital for older people who have joint problems and or obesity to be able to exercise their cardiovascular systems in a way that doesn't exacerbate their other problems."

Drownings

The GPs are also concerned that with the closure of the pool, children will not learn to swim and could face danger when playing in the many mountainside ponds nearby.

The surgery's senior partner, Dr Gareth Buffett, added: "Most Blaenavon children have learned to swim in out local pool.

"The prospect of the next generation not developing this skill is a big worry, especially given the large number of unprotected ponds in the local mountains.

"It can only be a matter of time before there are drownings if children fail to learn this vital skill. What price is a life?"

Torfaen Council has said the centre could close to make way for a new school and health centre but that discussions were on-going about the site's future.

A spokesperson added: "Torfaen is not a rich authority and unfortunately we do not have enough money to provide every service for every person. We have to prioritise effectively."