The leader of Dover District Council says he will discuss plans for Dover Leisure Centre with the public.

This comes after a petition launched by Peter Ward, of Balfour Road, has so far gained more than 300 signatures.

He is calling on Paul Watkins, leader of DDC and Nadeem Aziz, chief executive, to host a public meeting to keep members up to date on plans for the “rotten” centre in Townwall Street.

Mr Ward says the centre is in need of refurbishment or replacement and this needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Cllr Watkins said: “We’re already working on plans for the leisure centre anyway so there is opportunity to discuss this with the public.

“In terms of some of the issues he has raised it would be a matter for Your Leisure, the operator of the centre.

“We’re more than happy to engage and we will respond to him when he submits the petition and go through the process.”

Mr Ward hopes to reach 500 signatures before he submits it to the council.

He said: “We have concerns for the hygiene and general state of the centre.

“I have spoken to many unhappy members. I understand there maybe a chance of new centre and us, the public, should be involved from the start.”

For more information find the Facebook group Dover Leisure Centre Petition.