USERS of a sports centre are to fight plans for its closure.

Richmond Sports Centre is facing the axe from Richmondshire District Council, which said the move would save £28,500 a year.

People who use the complex are planning to campaign against the proposed closure, saying the centre is booked every night of the week for activities including yoga, karate, kick boxing and step- aerobics.

It is also used by up to 24 children each weekday night as part of an arrangement with Richmond After School Club.

Construction starts in June on a four-court sports hall at St Francis Xavier School (SFX), in Richmond, and work on a leisure centre in Catterick Garrison is expected to begin in 2005.

In a report published yesterday, council officers said there would be more sports facilities in the area in the long-term, despite the centre's closure.

Geoff Thompson, economic, cultural and leisure unit manager at the council, said: "It should be recognised that, until the provision in the pipeline at SFX and Catterick Garrison is operational, there will be a perceived local loss of provision.

"However, once these facilities are operational, there will be a substantial net gain for sports participants."

The sports centre, which is off Gallowgate, was built in 1938 as the regimental gymnasium for the Green Howards. It has no disabled facilities and needs roof repairs.

If the closure is given the go-ahead, sports enthusiasts face a trip to Brompton-on-Swale or Colburn until the new facilities at SFX and Catterick Garrison are built.

Mr Thompson said: "The building is past its useful working life as a sports facility, and does not provide a modern accessible facility.

"Discussions are ongoing with the staff working at the centre and all options are being explored to ensure redundancies are not required."

Members of the council's community committee will discuss the matter when they meet at Swale House, on Tuesday, at 6.30pm.

If the closure is approved, the site is likely to be used for affordable housing.