CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a Dulverton gym from closure have just a few days before the doors are due to shut.

Leisure trust 1610 announced just a few weeks ago that the Exmoor Gym, which was hailed as a flagship rural facility when it opened 18 months ago, would close for a four-month review at the end of April.

But although the organisation insists it is planning a re-launch in September, it has made clear the reopening will depend on the demand for the facility.

Action group Save Exmoor Gym, which wants to take over the running of the gym, said this week that with less than a week to go before the doors were locked, members were devastated.

"Some are in tears," said spokesman Lucy Trenchard.

She said 1610 had refused to discuss handing over control of the facility.

But she said the response of local people to the closure proved they cared deeply.

"The Save Exmoor Gym group has been inundated with letters, emails and messages from local people appalled at the closure."

Campaigners met West Somerset's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger last weekend and Ms Trenchard said he described the impending closure as "outrageous".

They have also won the support of local town and district councillor Keith Ross, who said he appreciated what a tremendous asset a gym in Dulverton was.

"I am deeply saddened that the community is going to lose this facility so soon after opening.

"I support those who need fitness training in their campaign to keep the Exmoor Gym open."

Dulverton vicar, the Rev Preb John Thorogood of All Saints Church, is also backing the campaign.

"The Exmoor Gym needs to be given the freedom to operate in the way the local community wants and needs," he said.

1610, a not for profit organisation, has said the gym is not revenue funded by local authorities and has to be financially viable on income generated.

It is carrying out market research on revamping the gym operations, facilities, decor, staffing, programming, opening times and costs.

And it has also pledged to carry out face-to-face non-user research over the coming months.

1610's target number for members was 100, which it has accepted was achieved at an early stage.

But it says the current membership has drifted to just 67 and, based on a 27 per cent decrease in numbers last summer, is likely to fall over the next few months.