THE boss of a North-East fitness empire forced into closure came out fighting last night amid angry criticism from customers.

Marty Yates-Brown, who is facing charges of conspiracy to supply the drug cannabis, pulled the plug on the Classic World of Fitness chain he helped build, after being unable to pay staff.

The chain, which runs gyms in Darlington, Newton Aycliffe, Bishop Auckland and Crook, is expected to be placed into liquidation shortly.

Customers who have lost membership fees claim they were left in the dark and were misled over the position of the company, which closed its doors for the last time on Saturday.

But Mr Yates-Brown said he only discovered late on Friday that his bid to borrow cash and increase an overdraft to keep the chain afloat had failed.

He had been attempting to overturn a restraining order placed on him by Customs and Excise, as a result of the drugs charges, which meant the banks would not finance the business.

Any new members who had signed up to the chain last week would not have had their money cashed.

Mr Yates-Brown, who had been seeking about £35,000 to keep the business going, said: "I would not shut four gyms without a fight, but had we continued trading into December we would be insolvent."

The former championship bodybuilder said he hoped staff would be paid any outstanding wages.

He also expressed the hope that members who were paying fees monthly could stop monthly direct debits without fear of any comeback.

But some members have reported that, because of a finance agreement they signed, they have been told not to stop the debits or face a credit blacklisting.

Gym customer Jacqueline Coates said she had paid more than £300 for a three-year membership in May.

She said: "I feel very annoyed and feel as though I have been taken for a ride."

A spokesman for Customs and Excise confirmed that assets belonging to Mr Yates-Brown had been frozen and would not be released before his expected trial in early February.

He declined to comment any further