A SPORTS centre's future could be in jeopardy after a discount parking scheme for its customers was scrapped, council bosses were warned today.

People using Roefield Leisure Centre, Edisford Road, Clitheroe, have until recently been claiming back all but 10p of their car parking ticket price from the sports centre.

But Ribble Valley Council, which owns the car park over the road which is used by many customers, has now scrapped the refund policy.

It means users, many of whom are prescribed exercise by their GP, now have to pay full price to park, on top of their centre entrance fee or gym membership.

The refund system, which initially saw customers receive a 100 per cent refund on their parking ticket, was introduced by councillors to help 'soften the blow' of people paying to use the sports centre.

Council bosses say the refund system was scrapped because it wasn't fair to people who weren't using the sports centre. All car park users will now have to pay 70p for up to four hours during the winter months, from October 1 to April 30, and 35p for the first hour plus extra for additional hours during the summer months.

The new regime comes into operation on Tuesday, May 3.

Ribble Valley Sports and Recreation Ltd, the charitable trust that owns and runs Roefield, receives subsidies of £16,000 a year from the council.

Tony Rodia, manager of Roefield, today warned that the decision could have serious implications for customers and the centre's long-term viability.

He said: "We could lose a lot of customers over this. Since the council informed us by letter on April 5 we've had 50 or 60 customers tell us how angry they are.

"They might look at the cost of gym membership, add that to the car parking cost, and decide to join another gym.

"Also, we pay out around £1,000 a month in car park refunds which we then claim back off the council. Now we've lost that income, plus the potential loss of business, we will have to pass the burden on to the customer with higher prices.

"Ultimately we are run by an independent private charity and this could have a serious effect on our long-term viability."

Regular gym user Judith Cunliffe, 43, of Oak Dene, Rimington, has written to the council demanding an explanation.

She said: "I've been coming here several times a week for seven years and a good feature has always been the refund they offer on parking.

"This change is not going to help to promote a healthy life style, and potentially the centre could face losing members as people with less disposable income cannot afford the increase on top of the fees."

Graham Jagger, for the council, said: "The system was never fair to people using external facilities, such as the football pitches, all weather pitch, tennis centre and for those just going for walk along the river bank."