Leisure chiefs are 'on the ropes' after hundreds of spectators - mostly children - turned up for an American wrestling show only to find it had been cancelled at the eleventh hour.

Excited youngsters were left in tears and their parents furious when management at Chorley's All Seasons Leisure Centre told them the show could not go on because it did not have an entertainments licence.

Now the bumbling bosses from Community Leisure Services Ltd, which runs the centre, have apologised for the 'grunt n' groan' gaffe which they claim was due to an administrative error.

But promoter Darren Hawkins says he will sue after ten wrestlers turned up for Friday's event - cancelled just three hours before it was due to start - costing him thousands of pounds.

One mum, Marie Parkinson, of Lydd Grove, Chorley, took along nephews Lewis McIndoe, seven, and Mitchell Gratton, four, as a half-term treat.

She said: "The lads were so excited at the prospect of seeing their heroes in Chorley. They were absolutely devastated when it was cancelled.

"I think Lewis was more excited about this than his holiday in Florida this summer. It completely ruined their weekend and to be told at such a late stage left us feeling very let down.

"Parents were dropping their kids off at the centre and then leaving. I was worried that some may have been stranded."

Mr Hawkins, a former pro wrestler, said he was setting up the ring in the sports hall when he was told the centre would be liable to prosecution if the show went ahead.

He said: "I've been in the wrestling game for 46 years and I've never had to cancel at such a late stage.

"It was a sell-out with 300 expected, 200 of them children.

"Because it was less than three hours before we were due to start, I've had to pay the wrestlers, who were travelling from all over the country, along with the referee."

An investigation has been launched as to why the show was not covered by an entertainments licence.

Clare Kennedy, of Community Leisure Services, said: "We apologise unreservedly to all ticket holders and the organisers for the inconvenience and disappointment which arose due to a licence issue.

"CLS sincerely regrets the cancellation of Friday's wrestling event and Chorley Borough Council's licensing officer has been most helpful in clarifying the licence issue to assist us with our re-application for the correct licence."

A spokesperson for Chorley Borough Council said: "All Seasons Leisure Centre is owned by the council, but it is up to Community Leisure Services to ensure that the correct licence is in place for any event that they organise."

Ticket holders were given a full refund and a free swim voucher.