TROUBLED Poole Sports Centre has been closed without warning.

The shock news has hit some 40 staff and hundreds of centre users were left high and dry after closed signs went up and bailiffs moved in to strip equipment from inside.

It comes just four weeks after the last closure when the locks of the centre were changed overnight. Then it was business as usual a few days later, but this time staff are not holding out much hope that the 50-year-old centre will open its doors any time soon - if at all.

The centre was closed indefinitely' without warning as bailiffs moved in yesterday.

Tearful staff feared they had lost their jobs less than a month before Christmas, while baffled customers were turned away at the door.

Sports clubs, some of which have been based at the centre since it opened almost 50 years ago, were informed of the shock closure and told to collect their equipment.

Centre manager Mark Thomas turned up to work as normal but found bailiffs removing nets, gym equipment, televisions and music systems.

"They have gutted the building," he added. "I'm unable to get hold of our investor, so I don't know what goes on from here."

He added: "The ladies on reception are still there doing their jobs although they won't get paid - that shows the type of staff we have - they want to do best by the customers, but the timing is the worst ever for them."

The previous operator Wessex Sports Trust made a loss on the centre. Axa Sun Life took on the property in May and leased it to UK Sports Centres Ltd which had promised fresh investment. But it closed suddenly four weeks ago when the locks were changed in the early hours of the morning. That was put down to a misunderstanding and the centre reopened days later.

Yesterday while some customers were angry, most expressed great sadness at the loss of a friendly and well-loved facility.

Brian Moore, chairman of the Poole Indoor Bowls Club, said: "We have 60-odd members and I'm trying desperately to get hold of all of them to get their gear out. I'm shocked - but after last time it closed I wondered how much longer it could go on for."

Helen Stevenson, 52, who works on reception, said: "We've been telling people sorry all morning. It's so upsetting it makes me choke up, but I don't want to break down."

Dolphin Shopping Centre Manager Jerry Stampfer said: "It's regrettable to lose the facility in the town centre and in the shopping centre. It was used by a wide spectrum of people."

The Echo was unable to find anyone from UK Sports Centres Ltd to comment.