A row over the funding of a leisure centre in Haywrads Heath shows no sign of letting up.

The controversy centres on the Dolphin Leisure Centre and how its £2.3 million revamp will be paid for.

Owners Mid Sussex District Council used its reserves to finance the scheme and pledged to pay it back over six years.

However, as reported in The Argus, Liberal Democrat councillor Ken Blanshard said results of the centre's performance in the first quarter since the revamp showed a £76,198 deficit.

If this continued, council tax payers would have to shoulder the repayment burden.

The council said one-off start-up costs accounted for much of the deficit and income and membership were increasing.

At a meeting this week, Coun Blanshard raised the subject with councillor Mike Gilks, Cabinet member for leisure.

He asked him to apologise to the council for the "mess".

But Coun Gilks replied: "I have warned the council on previous occasions it is dangerous to look at short-term figures."

The £526,000 due to be paid back in the first year would be paid.

He said: "I will currently make no apology. I have conferred with the director of finance and the council chief executive and both agree the figures are on track.

"I suggest Coun Blanshard take this up with the head of finance at another time."