COUNCIL chiefs are being urged to come clean about the future of a leisure centre.

Greenwich Council is refusing to confirm whether Plumstead Leisure Centre, Speranza Street, Plumstead, has a long-term future.

Now one prospective councillor has spoken of his concern the loss of the centre could lead to Plumstead becoming a "ghost town".

He has also attacked the council's failure to assure residents about its longer-term prospects.

The position of the Plumstead centre has been in doubt since it was criticised in a council-commissioned report last August.

The overview and scrutiny committee report said it was in a "serious state of disrepair" and its status as a leisure facility was becoming "untenable".

The council has announced plans to open new centres in Greenwich and Eltham as part of a revamp of its leisure services.

But Plumstead resident Phil Hendren says these facilities are too far away to serve the people of Plumstead effectively.

He said: "Plumstead is in serious danger of being left out.

"So much money is being invested into Woolwich but Plumstead is being neglected and it will end up looking like a run-down ghetto.

"It is almost as if there is a systematic running down of Plumstead. If we carry on like this it will become a ghost town."

Mr Hendren, who is standing for the Conservatives in May's council elections, added: "The council is not exactly being forthcoming about whether the centre is going to close.

"The people here need answers and Plumstead needs a leisure centre."

Greenwich Council says no decision will be taken on the future of the leisure centre until an ongoing review is completed.

It also says the new Greenwich and Eltham centres reflect the fact it is "committed to investing in leisure facilities".

Do you use Plumstead Leisure Centre? Would you be affected if it closed? Call 01689 885790.