THE leader of an ex-offenders' charity has claimed a second gym has cancelled its membership because of 'unfair' complaints against his clients.

Darren Armstrong, chief executive of Be Strong, has alleged that DW Sports Fitness cancelled a corporate membership deal after other users of the gym threatened to cancel their contracts.

He claimed he was told that members were upset about the appearance of the clients from Be Strong.

He said: "We were called and told they would have to cancel our membership because they have had three or four members threatening to leave.

"Apparently they had been complaining about the upkeep of the lads and the way they were dressed.

"It's just unfair. They have not done anything wrong. They are being treated like outsiders.

"People complain when they have committed offences and then they complain when they are trying to turn their lives around."

Staff at the Bolton gym said the deal between the company and Be Strong was handled by head office.

DW Fitness First has been contacted for a response to Mr Armstrong's claims.

The deal between Be Strong and DW was struck after a similar issue the charity had with Nuffield Health in Eagley Brook Way.

Mr Armstrong was told that Nuffield would not offer membership to the charity because of worries his clients would cause trouble.

Nuffield later apologised 'wholeheartedly' for any offence that was caused by the response.

Mr Armstrong confirmed Nuffield had approached Be Strong for a meeting to explore ways the charity could be supported.