Borehamwood's Venue leisure centre made a loss of £5,160 between April 1 and July 31.

The £18million centre's profits were affected by its failed lighting system, which was shut down earlier this year after developing a fault.

The centre's gym has made £20,702 more than expected over the period, and helped to reduce the centre's losses.

Owner and operator Hertsmere Borough Council plans to claim £40,000 on its insurance policy to recover the losses made as a result of the faulty lighting system it installed.

The bar made a loss of more than £10,000, which the council blames on its non-smoking policy, and the fact that people improving their health at the gym rarely go for a drink afterwards. Borehamwood's Hawksmoor Centre made a profit of £4,603 during the same period, although it is making an overall loss for the year to date.