I HAD almost thrown in the towel regarding conditions at the Castle Leisure Centre, but "Ever Hopeful" of Ainsworth (Your Letters, April 16) has persuaded me to have another go.

Many, many visitors to the Castle moan, but few complain officially. When they do, they get short shrift.

My priority at the moment is to improve the condition of the sauna, the so-called "Health Suite"! There are tiles missing from the walls of the showers, torn linoleum on the floor, dirty surfaces everywhere, and lockers that don't lock. The list is endless. We - the customers - cannot get anything done. I have complained to everyone.

Platitudes abound and empty promises are made. Nothing is done.

The icing on the cake came when, on complaining to the environmental health department at Maple House, I was told that they were powerless to act because they were part of the same local authority!

What if the cafeteria had been the source of an outbreak of E-coli?

The conclusion that I have reached over many years of dealing with cleansing, planning and leisure departments is that the council is run for the benefits of council employees only.

Incidentally, I must express my appreciation of columnist Mike Badham. I look forward to his column every week; it is excellent.

So how about visiting the sauna at the leisure centre, Mike, and giving us your unbiased view?

R. EDYVEAN,

Walmersley Road, Bury.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.