CAMPAIGNERS are refusing to admit defeat in their battle to save a leisure centre, despite it being ‘stripped’ of equipment.

Users of Durham Police-run Aykley Heads leisure centre, in Durham City, want to manage the crumbling 30-year-old facility themselves, saving it from demolition, which is scheduled for next month.

The police authority closed the centre last month, saying it could no longer afford a £300,000-a-year subsidy.

Now the force has announced it is offering equipment, including swimming accessories, to community groups and schools in Durham, Chester-le-Street and Lanchester.

Larger items will be sold to raise money.

Peter Thompson, chairman of Durham Police Authority, said: "In the current financial climate there simply isn’t the money to subsidise a leisure centre.

"However, I’m pleased that we’re able to support local schools and other groups by this donation of equipment."

John Ashby, chairman of the centre’s users’ group, said it was a wonderful gesture and he had no doubt the recipients would be pleased to receive the items.

However, he added: "It’s a pity the centre is being stripped before the work that should have taken place on trying to save the centre has been carried out.

"Providing the building still exists, then all is not lost."

Campaigners hope the rumoured presence of bats in the centre will delay its demolition long enough to allow them to produce a convincing business case to run the facility.

Facing real terms budget cuts of £15m over the next two years, Durham Police has axed 86 civilian staff and is drawing up a £6m savings plan to cope with 110 fewer officers.