THE manager of Bridport Leisure Centre has rubbished claims the venue is not interested in providing classes for pensioners.

A pensioner has hit out at the leisure centre for after a keep-fit class will no longer use the facility.

But general manager Nick Neale said that the decision to stop the Simply Active sessions at the leisure centre was made by Dorset County Hospital (DCH), which runs the sessions, because of “parking issues”.

Class user Ali Cameron said: “Bridport Leisure Centre has told 60 pensioners that it’s no longer providing keep-fit classes for them. Following an NHS cardio rehab course, I and others first started attending these Simply Active sessions 10 years ago. As well as that laudable aim, they were designed to help people stay healthy. I know they’ve helped me but I am saddened by what’s happened.

“We are all puzzled too, because the sessions have recently been attracting record numbers, so much so that people have had to be turned away. The centre’s excuses for booting out Bridport’s grandparents simply don’t add up.

DCH confirmed the sessions will be continuing at another venue after feedback from patients.

A spokeswoman said: “We have been looking at alternative options for our patients in Bridport following feedback from them.

"We can confirm that their cardiac rehab sessions will be continuing elsewhere in the town.”

Mr Neale said the leisure centre had been “forced to review its exercise class programme” and new classes were launched last week.

He added: “As a direct response, the leisure centre is launching a brand new range of low impact classes known as Active Wellbeing.

"These classes will be particularly suitable for our exercise-on-prescription members and anyone seeking rehabilitation from many different illnesses, injuries or post-operative surgery.

“These are really exciting times, and as a result, we will be providing even more classes and opportunities rather than less.

"The whole of the group exercise programme is extremely popular, and we are rightfully proud of the level of service which it provides to a diverse range of needs and abilities.”