Hundreds sign up in fight to save closure-threatened leisure centres across Dudley borough

More than 1,000 signatures have been gathered by a save our leisure centres group which is headed by former councillor Tracy Wood.

Council chiefs want to close Dudley's three main leisure centres and replace them with two new facilities. It is hoped the scheme will save the borough council £1.7 million.

About 600 people have signed an e-petition, while more than 800 have signed the paper version.

Mrs Wood said: "We have more than 600 signatures online and paper petitions going around as well.

"We have given ourselves three months to get this together. We really want to gain 10,000 names to gain a full debate with the council on this issue. This is a huge thing that is affecting so many people."

Dudley Council regeneration boss Khurshid Ahmed says he expects one of the new centres to be in Dudley which means it is important that the other, which is likely to be in the south of the borough, can be accessed easily. If this is the case, it will mean either Stourbridge or Halesowen being left without a leisure centre.

John Brettle represents the Dudley Olympics group which works alongside those with learning difficulties to help them participate in sport. He said: "If Halesowen leisure centre was to close then it would make a terrible difference.

"We have up to 50 disabled people who use the facility on a Monday night and if it is taken away from them then we would need to look for an alternative venue.

"It is leaving them confused and disorientated as they don't know what is going on. The council seems to be hitting out at those people who can't stand up for themselves.

"This would be devastating for a group like ours and I don't think they realise to what extent."

Speaking about the closure plans, Mr Ahmed said: "If we go from three to two, which is likely, we have got to make sure there is connectivity and they are easily accessible.

"It needs to be within 20 minutes commuting time. Anything beyond that and you struggle to get people to go," he said.