A POPULAR Westhoughton gym has closed without notice, leaving hundreds of angry members out of pocket.

Shocked members arrived on Tuesday morning to find the shutters down and no means of access at Gymnasia in School Street.

A letter from the bailiffs, Crellins from Salford, was stuck on the steel shutters.

A spokesman for Crellins told the BEN that it had been instructed by the landlord to change the locks on the gym which is situated in a unit above Blockbusters.

He said: "That is the extent of our involvement."

Another letter on the door was from former gym owner Neil Pilkington, who wrote that he had sold the business to Chris Harris in 1997, and that Mr Harris was responsible for any debts.

Mr Pilkington told the BEN: "I feel very, very sorry for members and anyone else owed money, including myself."

One gym member -- who paid £99 for a year's membership in 1999, and renewed her membership for 2000 at a cost of £49, said she had six months to go on her membership.

She claimed that the situation at the gym had been deteriorating in recent months.

"There were no paper towels, no drinks in the vending machine and no toilet paper. But you can live with that. When I went on Saturday I thought things were improving. But now this!"

She went on to say that she was bitterly disappointed to see the gym close.

"I don't have a car and it's so handy. Also I've been advised to go to the gym to help with my osteoporosis."

Another member, Jean Vann, said: "Until recently there was an excellent supportive staff, who placed health and safety high on their agenda. But over the past few months many have left and it became clear to me that there were difficulties.

"But I didn't think it would close down, and I will miss it. It was a low key gym where you could feel at home. I don't know what I'll do now."

"I am just sorry I joined for another year," said another woman from Hindley. "I've lost all that money for nothing."

Many members said the gym had been recruiting hard in recent months, with many special offers.

A BEN reporter tried to ring Gymnasia but the telephone had been cut off.