AN MP is calling for plans to shut down a Southampton sports complex to be kicked into touch amid growing pressure on council chiefs to back down on its proposals.

A protest march takes place on February 7 in a bid to keep St Mary's Leisure Centre open and hundreds of people have already signed a petition.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham has now thrown his weight behind the campaign.

The council has already performed a U-turn over its plans to axe football pitches in the city and reduce opening hours at Oaklands Swimming Pool in Lordshill.

Leisure leaders claimed the proposed Healthy Living Centre in nearby Charlotte Place would fill the gap left by the centre's closure but admitted full funds had not been secured and there was no firm opening date.

Mr Denham said: "This is another piece of anti-sporting incompetence from the Liberal Democrats. Fresh from trying to cut the football pitches, they want to leave the inner city without sports facilities for years.

"The St Mary's Leisure Centre is well used by local people and, if at all possible, should be kept open at least until the completion of the new Healthy Living Centre."

The £6m Healthy Living Centre will include a GP surgery and physiotherapy area, but only limited sports facilities.

St Mary's campaign leader Nick Chaffey said: "Every day we are getting more e-mails and letters of support. If they close it now there will be nowhere in the area for people to go. The new centre will not open until at least two to three years, and I even have my doubts about that."

Council chiefs said closing the leisure centre would save about £129,000 a year and that it was already in need of extensive repairs.

Leisure boss Councillor Peter Wakeford said they would have to fork out £485,000 a year on maintenance and repairs alone to keep it open for the next five years.

He added: "There are major cost implications that have been presented on maintaining St Mary's Leisure Centre. This is not a new proposal, it has been around for years and, as the administration, we are taking it forward and are sure it will be one of the discussion points at the budget meeting on February 18."