Outdoor centre's charges increase

Children will be charged an extra £15 to visit an outdoor adventure centre run by Dudley Council.

It means youngsters will now pay £260 for a summer adventure week at Astley Burf Outdoor Adventure Centre near Stourport.

Education bosses say the rise is necessary to cover the cost of increased food and transport for the Monday to Friday full residential visit.

At the centre children can enjoy walking, mountain biking, horse riding, volley ball, five-a-side football, orienteering or visits to places of local interest.

The cost also includes accommodation in the log cabins, all meals and snacks and transport to and from the centre.

Parents will also be hit with a 10 per cent increase in the fee for their child to stay at the centre Monday to Friday. From September the cost will go up from £80 to £88 while a weekend visit will increase from £43 to £47.

In a council report it says: "The increase is necessary to cover inflationary costs of food and transport and to ensure the centre is self-financing."