Dudley Council says closing Crystal Gateway will save it £500,000 a year.

Dudley councillors Peter Drake, Karl Denning and Matt Cook confirm they will now sit as independents.

Dudley councillor Pete Lowe says welfare cuts are "the final straw" after much heart-searching.

The campaigners will speak to councillors before an important vote on the future of leisure centres.

Patrick Harley says the budget passed this week had to include "tough decisions" to balance books.

The Sycamore Centre was under review by Dudley Council - now it has been saved from cuts.

The council has identified 65 brownfield sites that could be used to build 500 new homes.

The scheme is planned by four local authorities in the Black Country to boost walking and cycling.