New drainage pipe works and future investments are in the pipeline for a sports centre in Swindon after complaints about the state of its rundown toilets.

Swindon resident Matt Sargent couldn't believe his eyes when he visited Croft Sports Centre on Marlborough Lane in Swindon last month and found over the toilets and urinals cordoned off with yellow and black tape.

Of the seven urinals and two toilet cubicles caught on camera, six were out of order.

"I can't believe what I've found," he said, taking to social media in outrage.

"Growing up locally, I spent a lot of time here as a kid and I have found memories of the place but the building has just been left to rot."

But according to Croft Sport Centre, which is managed by BetterUK, the rundown toilets that greeted users like Mr Sargent are only temporarily out of action, as a result of issues in the old building.

A spokesperson for the leisure centre said: “We are aware that a number of toilets at Croft Leisure Centre are currently out of action. 

"The issue relates to a blocked drainage system, within what is an ageing building. 

"We have had specialist contractors onsite to assess the problem and will be scheduling work to install new drainage pipework at the earliest opportunity. 

"In the meantime, there are alternative toilet facilities available for customers to use in the building.”

For many locals, the state of the toilets at Croft Sports Centre is only a symptom of a much larger issue regarding investment into leisure centres in Swindon.

"The lack of investment is all too clear and this is one example," added resident Leigh Jackson.

But responding directly to Mr Sargent, Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, confirmed a new deal to access more investment for leisure centres like Croft Sports Centre.

A recent Swindon Borough Council agreement has guaranteed that GLL, which operates under the Better brand, will continue to manage the Link Centre, Croft Leisure Centre, Delta Tennis Centre, Dorcan Recreation Centre, Haydon Wick Leisure Centre, and the Health Hydro for the next 15 years.

A sum of £115,000 will also be spent on the ongoing refurbishment of the Health Hydro, while an extra £1.3 million will go towards a larger package of improvements at the Link Centre.