A 60-strong group of women are demanding the return of their favourite aquafit class after it was axed.

The ladies, aged between 50 and 83, have handed a petition to Fairfield Leisure Centre in Lowfield Street, Dartford calling for the water aerobics sessions to be reinstated after the Friday morning one was cut from the weekly timetable.

Aquafit fan Patricia Follett, 69, collected more than 60 signatures and presented it to the manager, urging him to reconsider his decision.

She said: “Our group primarily consists of post-menopausal women, most of whom were referred to the Health Matters program by their GPs due to injuries or chronic health conditions.

“We've found immense benefit and enjoyment in our daily aquafit classes, held Monday to Friday, over the years.

“We have a total membership of approximately 50 to 60 ladies who have fostered strong friendships.

“While not everyone can attend daily, we've established a steadfast routine with familiar faces in our various classes throughout the week.”

A spokesman for Fairfield Leisure Centre apologised but stressed it still provided an “excellent offering” of fitness classes.

Patricia, who is retired, said as well as being a place to socialise the class provided many important health benefits.

She said: “This class has been cultivated over the years and has attracted dedicated attendees who valued its significant benefits beyond typical aquatic fitness activities.

“Its structured approach addressed our physical health requirements, enhancing stamina, muscle strength, balance, and co-ordination, aiming to prevent further injuries and improve mental wellbeing.

Fellow aquafit devotee Maddie Boreham, 58, particularly values the class for its mental health benefits.

She said: “Exercise is really important for our mental health. It makes you feel better when you’ve finished a class.

“Now I’m retired I want to do more and it’s disappointing the class has been cut.”

Dr Bev Hayward, 55, says the cancellation of the class is having the reverse effect on her mental health, as she struggles to get booked onto sessions.

“I was up until midnight the other night waiting for a cancellation,” she said.

“My daughter and I like to go in the evenings for something to do together but it is so hard to get booked on.”

“It is totally stressing me out.”

The ladies, who pay around £38 a month for membership, feel they should be offered a discount for the fact they only use the pool.

“These sessions are especially valuable to those with disabilities and health issues who can’t partake in other exercises...”

Patricia said: “We have to pay a full membership even though we are only using the pool.”

College lecturer Bev says she has arthritis, so using the gym is not an option.

Patricia, who has been a member of the gym for four years, said the aquafit classes are perfect for those ladies with health issues.

“These sessions are especially valuable to those with disabilities and health issues who can’t partake in other exercises.

And she said while alternative options, such as deep water aqua and Zumba aquafit, were offered, neither caters to the group's specific medical needs, which include cardiac issues, fractures, and osteoporosis.

She said the centre’s suggestion the class was dropped because of poor attendance is not accurate.

“Upon an extensive review we concluded that this class did not achieve the required occupancy standards...”

“Our research indicates a consistent attendance of over 20 participants on Fridays, highlighting the class's devoted following,” she said.

“As paying members of Fairfield Leisure, we feel the value for our membership is diminishing especially with the termination of other classes like 'Easy Spin' now replaced with instructor-less spin videos.”

A spokesman for the centre said: “We are sorry that our members at Fairfield Leisure have been affected by the decision to cancel one of our Aqua Fit classes.

“All classes at Fairfield Leisure are managed in accordance with company policy. Upon an extensive review we concluded that this class did not achieve the required occupancy standards.

“We still have an excellent offering of Aqua Fit classes, with seven sessions per week. Since cancelling the class on August 18, we have seen a significant increase in attendance of the other classes throughout the week.

“At Fairfield Leisure, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our programme and we do hope that our members can continue to take advantage of the facilities and other classes we provide.”