A major sports & recreation facility in Totton is under serious threat. The popular B.A.T. Sports ground just off Ringwood Road, looks set to close. The owners, British American Tobacco, have indicated that they wish close the facilities and sell off the land.

The news has set off shock waves through the town. The facilities are used by hundreds of people including footballers, cricketers and tennis players. The club building has hosted numerous social events and is generally considered an important social venue for local people.

Liberal Democrat Councillors are determined to stop the sports ground being developed for housing. They want to see all the facilities retained for community use. With this in mind, a campaign has been launched to try and persuade the owners, B.A.T., to reconsider or to offer special terms so that the facilities can be retained for community use.

Spearheading the campaign are County Councillors Alan Weeks and David Harrison.

Alan Weeks says "B.A.T. are a highly profitable company. Perhaps they will see value in recognising the community benefit of this facility and making a generous gesture as a thank you to the workforce who contributed to the company over many years".

Councillor David Harrison says "Both my parents once worked for the company. I know that almost everyone in Totton knows somebody who once worked for the company or have friends or family who use the sports or social facilities. The town is already critically short of green space. I hope everyone will get behind our campaign to keep this facility".

The Liberal Democrat team want to make sure that company bosses are left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling there is amongst the people of Totton, that the sports and social facilities must be retained.

Totton residents are being asked to help, by adding names and details to a petition organised by the two County Councillors. Teams of volunteers are currently out in the town delivering thousands of leaflets and petitions.