GYM users in Pershore hope their combined muscle will persuade Wychavon councillors to provide a temporary gym when Avon Valley Leisure Centre closes for refurbishment in September.

Dan Harley from Pensham Hill, who is campaigning for a temporary gym, told the Journal he had a petition signed by more than 150 gym users urging the council not to leave them in the lurch.

They demand Wychavon sets up some form of gym in the town during the closure and are angry at having to travel to Droitwich or Evesham for their workouts.

In a letter to every district councillor, Mr Harley dismissed the council's suggestion they use gyms at Evesham and Droitwich.

He said: "Clearly this is only a viable option for those with unlimited funds and spare time."

Many in the Pershore area, said Mr Harley, were unable to get to either of these and he questioned the capacity of already well-used facilities to cope with new users.

"We appreciate cost will be a main factor in deciding whether any temporary fitness room may be provided but we feel the benefits are beyond figures," he said.

Fellow campaigner Susan Burlingham of Lower Moor asked: "What price does Wychavon District Council put on the health and well-being of Pershore and village residents?"

She added doctors recommended the fitness room to heart and stroke patients and said the facilities were well used by the over 50s as well as younger people.

Mr Harley said campaigners knew they would lose the pool during the work, but believed a temporary gym or sports-hall would be quite cheap as the council has the equipment and only needed to find a room to house it.

Most users he had spoken to would forego showers and air conditioning to keep costs down if it meant keeping it in the town.

Brian Norfolk, Wychavon's head of community services, said the council was eager to minimise inconvenience during the closure, but some was unavoidable.

He said: "The council is investigating any options which may be available as temporary alternative accommodation."

He added: "Evesham fitness suite will be the subject of an extensive refit making it significantly more attractive than any temporary provision in Pershore."

A decision is not likely before September.

The pool and leisure centre is being closed for an estimated 14 months while work costing £3.7million is carried out. This will upgrade the building and existing facilities, providing a new swimming pool, squash courts and a health and fitness suite.