CLOSURE of Richmond sports centre had been "debated to death" and a line should be drawn under the subject, the deputy leader of Richmondshire District Council has said.

Coun Richard Dunn told an emergency meeting of the authority that the proposed closure had been fully discussed.

Demands by Richmond's six district councillors for Coun Dunn's resignation failed and the meeting on Tuesday backed him. The council's community committee, chaired by Coun Dunn, voted in January to close the sports centre from next month to help keep down the council tax.

Centre users were angry at the decision and at suggestions they must travel to Brompton on Swale or Colburn.

At Tuesday's meeting, Coun Stuart Parsons, the Mayor of Richmond, launched a blistering attack on councillors who supported the closure. He claimed Coun Dunn had misled the authority on the issue and called for his resignation.

Fellow Richmond councillor John Harris said the community committee had been asked to vote on the closure without having the full facts.

"It is clear to me that the chairman of the committee failed to do his job properly,'' said Coun Harris. "As a result, residents now feel completely disillusioned with this council.

"The chairman of the committee has lost the confidence of the people who use the sports centre and, in that situation, he should resign."

Coun Dunn vehemently denied misleading the authority.

"We had a full and honest debate on this issue before the community committee vote on January 13,'' he said. "We debated it again at the scrutiny panel and again at full council; it's been debated to death and now it's time to move on."

Council leader John Blackie confirmed a deal had been struck with the after-school club to allow it to remain at the centre at least until October.

Most sports groups with block bookings had been offered alternative venues, but Coun Dunn hoped the town council would consider allowing some to use the town hall.

Coun Blackie said Richmond councillors should have come up with a realistic alternative if they wanted to keep the sports centre open.