A LEISURE centre operator has made a U-turn on its decision to ask customers to use an expensive 0845 phone number.

Fusion Lifestyle, which is contracted by Braintree Council to run several district sports and leisure facilities, advertised the 0845 number on its website pages until last week.

However, following enquiries by the Times, the charity now says it will review the use of this number in future.

The decision came after the Times was contacted by customer Mat Cornish who had spent almost £12 in one week trying to book badminton courts using his mobile phone at Witham Leisure Centre.

Mr Cornish, 26, of Bantock Way, Witham, and his partner Clare Scammell, 23, were using a mobile phone with provider Three.

The couple were charged the access charge, 45p a minute with Three, as well as a service charge of up to 7p per minute.

The charity has now refunded Mr Cornish the money and apologised.

Mr Cornish said: “I spoke to someone last week and said they would refund me the money, which I’m just waiting for to come through, and that they are going to change the 0845 numbers which is also good.

“They are going to investigate the courts and why they appear as booked when they’re not.

“I think they should have changed the numbers on all the websites but I guess they are taking my complaint first.”

As well as Witham Leisure Centre, Fusion runs Braintree Sport and Health Club, Braintree Swimming and Fitness, Witham Sports Ground and Halstead Leisure Centre.

Fusion removed the 0845 number from its two Witham websites last week and its Braintree and Halstead websites on Monday morning after further enquiries by the Times. Customers are now directed to use a cheaper 01376 number instead.

A spokesman for the charity said: “Fusion Lifestyle can confirm that the 0845 number has now been removed from the website and are grateful that this issue has been brought to their attention.

“A full review of customer contact procedures will now take place and use of 0845 phone numbers will be reviewed going forwards.”