TWO sports centres in Worcester have been praised as among the best in the country by inspectors.

The complexes in St John's and Nunnery Wood were highly commended by judges who examined centres used by both the public and schools. Out of 500 sports centres in the country, only six received the top accolade.

Assessors in the Quest awards praised staff for cleanliness levels at the centres.

And local people agree that the centres are top-notch. Mum Hayley Williams praised the St John's centre, where her sons Sam, seven, and Harry, five, take part in Saturday morning children's sessions.

"The staff are really good and encourage the kids. My two enjoy coming and that's the main thing," she said.

It is the third consecutive year that the two council-run sports centres - which were both joint runners-up this year with inspection scores of 75 per cent - have featured in the top rank.

Worcester councillor Francis Lankester, who is the cabinet member responsible for the city's leisure centres, said the awards respresented a major achievement.

"They represent official recognition of exceptionally high quality across the whole area of sports provision in Worcester," he said.