PLAYING sport in Bournemouth is about to get more expensive as leisure bosses try to cope with tight budget constraints.

Everything from a round of mini-golf to playing tennis is about to increase in price, with many rises significantly above the rate of inflation.

The cost of hiring cricket pitches is to rise by between 3.6 and five per cent, while football pitches will cost more than four per cent more.

Adult fees at the mini-golf courses at the Lower Gardens and Boscombe Chine Gardens will rise by 8.7 per cent, while under-16s will have to pay 11.1 per cent more.

Adults playing a round of golf at Queen's Park golf course will have to fork out an extra £2, while junior fees will increase by £1.

And bowls players will also be affected, with adult hourly tickets rising by 16.7 per cent to £3.50.

Bournemouth council insists the raft of hikes are the only way to maintain quality services during a period of "significant budget pressure".

They add Queen's Park golf course is still competitively priced compared with other courses and the mini-golf fee increases are justified because both facilities have benefited from significant investment.

Roger Brown, head of leisure services at Bournemouth council, said: "We review our charges on an annual basis and we look carefully at the market and what people are prepared to pay for the services and adjust the charges accordingly."