Locals react angrily to news six leisure centres may close tonight

12:24pm Friday 16th February 2007

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Campaigners fighting to keep North Wiltshire's leisure centres open are angered at the news all six may close as soon as tonight.

The district council last night put North Wiltshire Leisure Ltd into administration after a special meeting of its executive committee met behind closed doors and voted not to give its leisure arm the money.

Brian Mantel, of the Wootton Bassett Save Our Sports action group, said he was furious the Lime Kiln Centre could be shut.

"This is just unbelievable," he said. "I'm just appalled by it.

"It's another example of their unbelievably inept management. Couldn't they have foreseen this?

"After all we've been through and the decision to put money up to keep the centre open, for them to close it is appalling."

However Mick Devonport of the White Horse Leisure Centre steering group has vowed to keep fighting.

He added: "This will not affect us other than make the task of saving our centre just a little bit trickier.

"We won't stop our fight and as far as the rescue plans go we are making great progress. This won't affect our plans."