AN attempt to overturn the decision to close a popular sports centre has been defeated by one vote.

Councillors Tom Burrows and Clive World believe neither the public nor the Richmondshire District Council's partners were consulted properly before the council recommended that Richmond Sports Centre should close in April.

They also claim the community committee that made the decision did not have the full facts at its disposal and could therefore not make an informed decision.

Both councillors appeared before the council's overview and scrutiny co-ordination panel to request that the matter be reconsidered.

Coun World said: "The meeting on January 13 was told the council may be able to examine the idea of keeping the centre open temporarily until the current users have found new homes.

"But why wasn't that looked at as an option until 2006, when other facilities in the district will be built and ready for use?"

Coun Burrows claimed the running costs the committee were given were not accurate because they omitted a £3,000 contribution from Richmond Town Council.

He also said the report did not include a projection of what losses or profits the centre would make in the coming 12 months if it was allowed to stay open.

Unit manager Geoff Thompson told the panel his report had not recommended closure but had merely suggested it was something the council may want to consider.

Richmond Mayor and panel member Stuart Parsons then said: "Given all the aspects we have been given, I suggest we should call in the decision and ask officers to prepare a full report on the alternatives and their financial implications."

But the motion was defeated on the casting vote of the panel chairman Coun Yvonne Peacock after Coun John Gill urged it should be allowed to stand.

"I think the debate on January 13 was very long and detailed and fairly easy for committee members who had to make the decision to understand," he said.

"My understanding is that the call-in should only be used in extreme circumstances and, if we were to call in this decision, it would suggest the debate was not carried out properly,which was certainly not the case."