CAMPAIGNERS who raised more than £100,000 to provide a fantastic outdoor fitness area and courts in Verwood have been left bitterly disappointed after further improvements were vetoed by councillors.

Members of the Active Games For All committee (AGFA) managed to raise £103,000 to build a multi-use games area at the Memorial Hall, plus fitness equipment.

Verwood Town Council put in £50,000 and AGFA raised the remainder with grants from The Veolia Environmental Trust, Synergy Housing Trust, Christchurch and East Dorset District councils, their own fundraising and funds donated by many groups and individuals.

Now a couple more pieces of equipment have been added and the committee hoped to improve on this further by installing rubber matting to keep the ground level, and seats for spectators and walkers. However the trustees of the area, who are town councillors, voted six to five against any further work at the site, saying enough had been done there.

AGFA member Angela Daymond said: “We had hoped to spend our remaining funds, £6,500, on further improvements for the recreation ground, but these offers have all been rejected by town councillors who are recreation ground trustees.

“They voted six votes to five, despite a petition from users being handed to them.

“To say AGFA are disappointed would be an understatement and they will be calling a public meeting to debate who they donate their leftover funds to.”

Anyone who has a suggestion for the use of the remaining funds can contact Mrs Daymond on 01202 822549.