A STAFF member at a Poole leisure centre says he was left stunned when he was sacked from his job by text message.

Peter Courtney, from Corfe Mullen, was on holiday in Greece when he received the text from a manager at Rossmore Leisure Centre telling him his services were no longer required.

The shocked 19-year-old, who had been working as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Poole centre for three years, says he has still not received any explanation.

"It is unprofessional and it isn't the correct way," said Mr Courtney.

"I had no disciplinaries behind me and was always on time. They have fired someone reliable and not given a reason."

SLM, the partner company which runs three leisure centres in association with Poole council, including Rossmore and the Dolphin, said Peter was sent a text asking him if he was coming in to teach his swimming lessons.

When he replied that he was away on holiday, a text was sent to him saying: "OK then don't need you for splash school any more".

Mr Courtney took this to mean he had been fired and is now pursuing the issue.

SLM said Mr Courtney had not followed correct procedures for taking holiday and rearranging shifts.

Karl Miles, contract manager for SLM, said: "He had taken unscheduled annual leave without informing my colleague who runs the swimming school at Rossmore.

"We only allow two swimming teachers off at a time and there were already two on holiday so we wouldn't have been able to allow him to have the time off."

Mr Courtney maintains he filled out the necessary holiday forms and arranged cover for his swimming lessons for the period he was away.

Two months on, and having been promised calls and meetings, he has still heard nothing and has received a P45 through the post.

In a letter to SLM, he wrote: "I would still like to be employed in my chosen career within the leisure industry and am extremely disappointed in the manner I have been treated."