A leisure centre is infested with cockroaches.

Freedom Leisure confirmed King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove was currently plagued by the insects.

Several concerned customers contacted The Argus after seeing the critters in the past week.

Katy Dawes, from Hove, said: “I am a disabled woman who is taken to a dedicated swimming group on Thursday mornings at King Alfred.

“Both myself and my carer were horrified to find cockroaches all over the carpet in the reception area on our way out of the building.

“The roaches were getting on two-and-a-half cm in length.

“We informed a member of staff who told us 'don’t look down'.

"He then went on to say that it was their 'dirty little secret' and that they had sprayed a huge infestation under the pool and that the roaches had just moved somewhere else.

“Well, as you can imagine, our skin was crawling and I really don’t want to return to swim in a pool that is playing host to a cockroach swimming party every night.”

Another gym user, who wished to stay anonymous, said: “The place was riddled with oriental cockroaches.

“They were everywhere. And they were big ones.

“I saw three in the space of half an hour in the ladies changing room and the swimming seating area.

“I think it is disgusting.

“The staff grabbed them with a tissue and put them in the bin but they can just crawl out again.”

The council and Freedom Leisure confirmed the outbreak was first raised on April 9.

A council spokeswoman said: “The council is aware of this most unfortunate situation, and continues to work with Freedom Leisure to ensure a robust and ongoing set of cleansing procedures are in place to actively manage this problem.

“Apart from regular pest control inspections, wet changing areas are frequently spray treated by our staff.”