Fitness fans were thrown out of their gym when bailiffs arrived to settle an unpaid bill, writes David Horne.

They were told to go outside in shorts and tracksuits as the bailiffs demanded payment at Witney's former Bodyfit Club.

But, within ten minutes, the owners decided to pay up with a cheque for the overdue rates bill.

Colin Murphy, joint managing director, said: "It was a complete surprise to us. About 20 members were chucked out and we didn't know what it was all about.

"It then turned out the previous owner had not paid his rates bill. It wasn't a lot of money, but it had to be settled. "We decided to pay it off with a cheque and will now be taking legal action to recover it. The action meant the club was closed for about ten minutes. It was definitely inconvenient."

The club, at the town's Zedcor industrial estate, Bridge Street, was recently taken over by Mr Murphy's company, Courtesy Leisure Ltd, which has changed the name to Physicals. West Oxfordshire District Council demanded settlement of an account from the club's previous owner, John Staniland, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.

The incident follows an uproar from some former club members who had "bargain" membership deals, offered by Bodyfit, cancelled by the new owners.

Story date: Thursday 20 May

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