CAMPAIGNERS have launched a last-gasp effort to save a Southampton sports complex threatened with closure.

Opponents of the plans to knock down St Mary's Leisure Centre say it provides a vital sporting outlet for people in the inner city.

Council chiefs claim the building is in urgent need of extensive repairs and the proposed new Healthy Living Centre nearby would be an adequate alternative.

But they admit complete funding for the project next to Charlotte Place has still not been found and that they do not yet know when it would open.

Hundreds of people have already signed a petition to protest against the closure plan.

Nick Chaffey, a project worker for Baseline, which provides leisure and learning opportunities for people in the inner city, said: "It's a very important local facility. We estimate that about 1,800 people use it every month and we don't believe there's a strong argument to close it.

"We are trying to get all the clubs that use the building to get involved in this campaign. If the council doesn't want to see an obese population or have young people kicking around on the streets why do they want to close the leisure centre?

"They say the Healthy Living Centre will be able to replace it but no one seems to know when and if that will open."

Proposals to close the centre have been on the cards from the previous Labour administration and would save around £129,000 annually.

Councillor Peter Wakeford, the city council's Cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said the centre's floorbase was in need of major repairs and that leaks had begun to appear in the roof.

He added the Healthy Living Centre would offer some alternatives to sports users in the inner city but he admitted some people would have to travel to other leisure centres in Southampton for games like squash and football.

He said: "I know people would like to see it stay open but the reality is a lot of money needs to be spent on bringing it up to the necessary standards.

"We would really like to see the Healthy Living Centre come forward but at the moment we do not know when all the funding will be in place."

The new complex, funded by the city council, regeneration cash and the city's primary care trust, will feature a GP surgery, physiotherapy and sports facilities."

A public meeting against the planned closure of St Mary's takes place at the leisure centre at 7pm on Sunday.

Ring 023 8049 5266 for details.