CAMPAIGNERS have asked the Local Government Ombudsman to investigate leisure centre cutbacks.

Widespread protests were sparked when the ski slope and miners' welfare hall at Willington's Spectrum Leisure Centre were shut in April.

Wear Valley District Council ordered the closure to try to save £300,000, but protestors have continued to fight the move and have called in the Ombudsman, who was shown around the leisure centre by protestor Margaret Taylor last week.

Ms Taylor also kept a vigil outside the Glenholme Leisure Centre, in Crook, last week, where Sports Minister Richard Caborn was to be shown around the gym facilities.

Ms Taylor, from Coundon, said she wanted to alert the minister to the fact that much of the equipment had come from the gym housed in the Miners' Welfare Hall at the Spectrum Leisure Centre.

She said: "It was ironic last week that the Sports Minister came to look at the facilities at the Glenholme Leisure Centre, in Crook, when most of the gym equipment had come from Willington.

"They have been awarded grants to improve sports facilities and health in the district, so why can't they put some money into it and run it properly?"

Director of community services at Wear Valley District Council, Paul Dobson, said he was confident the council would not be found guilty of maladministration.

He said: "It is a process that is open to anybody to challenge decisions, but I am confident all the council processes have been followed appropriately.

"I am sure if the Ombudsman does look at this he will find that is the case."

Protestors are continuing their efforts to reopen the 74-year-old miners' welfare hall, which was built for members of the former Brancepeth Colliery and run as a centre for the Willington community