STAFF and customers turned up to Poole Sports Centre on Thursday to find themselves locked out by the landlord.

Employees at the premises in the Dolphin Centre were shocked to discover they could not get in and were given no information as to when it may open.

Several women gathered outside waiting to hear why their over-50s aerobics class had been cancelled without warning, while staff went to the Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Parents taking their children for half-term activities at the centre were also disappointed.

They were left to speculate about what had gone wrong since Axa Sun Life took on the property in May and leased it to UK Sports Centres Ltd. The previous operator Wessex Sports Trust had made a loss on the site.

Axa Sun Life instruc-ted bailiffs to enter the building after a disagreement with its tenant.

Paddy Murphy, director of UK Sports Centres, said: "I apologise to members for the closure, which was through no fault of my own, but I hope to get it open within 48 hours."

The Dolphin Centre sports facility has narrowly avoided closure several times.

Last March the Wessex Trust was forced to strike a last-minute sale and lease-back deal in order to save it and the Daily Echo reported it needed £340,000 worth of investment to bring it up to date.

In May, Axa Sun Life took on the lease and sub-leased it to UK Sports Centres Ltd, with whom it is in disagreement.

Cllr Peter Adams, Poole council's cabinet member for leisure, said the council was concerned, adding: "We have made vigorous attempts to contact the private owners of the facility, but so far have been unable to establish their future plans. However, we hope the owners will be able to reopen the centre within 48 hours as promised."