A CASH crisis is threatening the future of Sandwich Sports and Leisure Centre. Vista Leisure, who stepped in to manage the centre earlier this year, will be pulling out at the end of August if financial help is not found.

The company, which operates Tides, at Deal and Dover Leisure Centre, provided a lifeline for the Sandwich centre when it took over on a temporary basis in April. It followed the departure of City Centre Leisure, who had managed the facility for the last 10 years on behalf of the charitable Sandwich Trust.

Losses suffered by City Centre Leisure and the condition of the building highlighted the need for financial help from other organisations, which has not yet been secured. Vista Leisure chairman John Holmes said: "It is commercially not possible for Vista to continue its current involvement, particularly as the quieter months for leisure centre usage are approaching."

Chairman of the Sandwich Trust, Roy Elliott, said: "It is unfortunate that Vista Leisure is unable to continue but I understand the difficulty of managing the centre on a temporary basis without the certainty of financial support. The Trust has submitted a business plan to Kent County Council, the district council and Sandwich Town Council and I hope that we can find a solution to enable the centre to thrive as a community facility again."

Mr Elliott said that the trust will make every effort to ensure the centre can remain open after August 31 and customers will be kept informed on progress.