A CONDEMNED leisure centre has surprisingly won an industry award.

The King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove has been named best swimming facility in the city at the Move GB awards.

The centre, operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, was voted number one by users.

Fellow Freedom Leisure site Portslade Leisure Centre was named best leisure centre in Brighton and Hove at the same awards.

The ageing King Alfred is due to be demolished within the next year to make way for a £40 million replacement.

In recent years, it has been subject to cockroach infestations and legionella outbreaks while it hit the headlines recently for the wrong reasons with a police investigation into the raping of a 14-year-old boy in its changing rooms.

Conservative councillor Robert Nemeth said: “I interpret this news as a victory for staff rather than facilities.

“There is a great team at the King Alfred working alongside the various sporting clubs and tenants.

“The building itself is an embarrassment to Hove though and needs to be demolished as soon as possible.”

Freedom Leisure area manager Chris Lovelock said: “These awards run by Move GB are voted for by local users, so they really do mean a lot to us.”