SCORES of people are expected to turn out tomorrow night to start the battle to save a Southampton sports complex.

Campaigners against proposals to shut down St Mary's Leisure Centre are holding a public meeting to debate the controversial plans.

City council leisure supremo, Councillor Peter Wakeford, has agreed to attend.

The closure proposal is part of the council's budget plan for the next financial year, as part of a bid to balance its books and keep council tax rises to a minimum.

But as the Daily Echo reported earlier this week, hundreds of people have already signed a petition to protest against the closure.

Civic chiefs claim the building needs extensive repairs and the proposed new Healthy Living Centre nearby would be an adequate alternative. But they admit they have no idea when the complex, planned for a site near Charlotte Place, will actually open.

Nick Chaffey, who is helping co-ordinate the campaign to save the centre, said momentum was gathering within the inner city.

The youth project worker told the Daily Echo: "We have had a massive amount of support so far. I've had people phoning and writing to me to say it must stay open. The council says the Healthy Living Centre will replace it but no one knows when that is actually going to happen."

Among the groups to hit out at the closure plans are the Active Options for Healthy Living group, which is based at the centre.

The organisation secured about £250,000 in National Lottery funding to offer fitness programmes to referrals from GPs, including heart attack victims. Project worker Samantha Dickson said: "It needs to be kept running until there's something to replace it."

The city council will discuss the plans at its budget setting meeting next month.

Leisure chiefs have admitted the £6m Healthy Living Centre, which will include a GP surgery and physiotherapy area, will have limited sports facilities and that complete funding has still not been secured.

The meeting takes place at the leisure centre at 7pm.

For more details call 023 8049 5266.

For coverage of tomorrow's meeting see Monday's Daily Echo.