They say it's filthy, smelly and overrun with unruly kids.

So the Journal went undercover to find out the truth - and showed the evidence to leisure centre bosses.

Over the past five weeks, the Journal has gone at varying times three times a week armed with a camera and notebook to record its findings.

We found a litter-strewn changing room, mouldy shower heads and teenage yobs running riot.

The stench of urine in the changing room was sometimes overwhelming, the pool temperatures felt cold and the jacuzzi and adjoining splash pool were open only once.

The leisure centre is managed by Leisure Connection on behalf of South Kesteven District Council.

The Journal showed its evidence to Paul Stokes, SKDC's corporate head of resources and organisational development, and Leisure Connection management.

Mr Stokes said: "We wanted to make this our flagship leisure centre for the district, which it hasn't been.

"We are working hard, both the council and Leisure Connection, to bring everything to an improvement.

"But we need people to work with us. We have ceiling tiles pushed out, people dropping litter on the floor and parents leaving dirty nappies in the changing rooms.We're committed to making this work, but we need everyone behind us."

He added that free swimming for under-16s "brought with it numerous problems" as the uptake was more than anticipated.In April alone, when the Government's free swimming initiative was launched, there were 15,000 visits from youngsters.

Some 148 hours' cleaning are carried out per week by an external cleaning company and two cleaners are employed by Leisure Connection.

Leisure centre bosses have now vowed to make improvements before Christmas.

What do you think of the leisure centre? Is it a fantastic facility or filthy and full of yobs? E-mail your news and views to comment@granthamjournal.co.uk

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