Five leisure centres in Powys will open up as emergency childcare hubs from Monday.

Childcare will be provided at Freedom Leisure centres in Newtown, Welshpool, Rhayader, Brecon and Ystradgynlais until the end of the school summer term.

Councillor Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, said in a letter addressed to parents on Wednesday (June 24) that parents have until 3pm on Thursday (June 25) to book a place for their child.

A Powys County Council spokesperson said it was not a "straightforward process" and that the council had to make sure enough qualified staff were available to run the facilities before making the announcement.

School-aged children who attend the leisure centre hubs will not be able to attend their school during the last four weeks of the summer term after the Welsh Government advised that children should only attend one setting to reduce the likelihood of the coronavirus spreading between different groups.

Children of emergency workers, NHS staff and social care workers who had not previously registered with the emergency childcare hubs will be able to be cared for at the new hubs.

The hubs will be open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, and parents will have to make their own arrangements to drop off and pick up their child and also provide enough food and drink for the day.

Parents can register a place for their child at one of the five leisure centres by sending an email to covid19.hubs@powys.gov.uk.