'DISGUSTING': Chesterfield council apologises for dirty leisure centre

Several pictures obtained by the Derbyshire Times show clumps of mould, dust and hair blighting the men's and women's changing rooms at the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley.

The pictures were taken over a six-month period and we have shown them to Chesterfield Borough Council, which owns the £5.5million facility.

A borough council spokesman said: "Looking at these images, the standards of hygiene at the Healthy Living Centre have clearly fallen below the standards we would expect and we can only apologise to centre users who have been affected.

"A deep clean of the areas has taken place and we are aware that more permanent work needs to be carried out in these areas.

"We will take steps to ensure this happens."

A user of the Healthy Living Centre, who did not want to be named, voiced concern about the 'unhealthy and disgusting' facility.

He branded it an 'environmental health issue' and added: "I hope the newly-opened and newly-refurbished Queen's Park Sports Centre in Chesterfield doesn't end up in the same state."

The borough council spokesman said: "If anyone has any concerns about the cleanliness in either of our sports centres, they should report it to centre staff immediately."

The Healthy Living Centre in Barlow Road opened in 2008 and has recently undergone refurbishment.

The borough council's website states: "The Healthy Living Centre at Staveley offers top-class health, sport and leisure facilities for Chesterfield.

"We offer a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and abilities at affordable prices.

"The Healthy Living Centre lets you, your friends and family get active and enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle using local facilities."

Facilities include a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool.