OFFICIALS of an amateur rugby league club have hit out at St Helens Council after they were forced to cancel a week's training.

The Hare and Hounds club, based at Parr Stocks, had to call off training last week after being told the council had no-one to open the changing rooms. And they were further angered after discovering another club using their equipment - which is stored at the complex - despite being assured that this wouldn't happen again following earlier incidents.

A spokesman for the club told the Star: "We were only told on the Tuesday morning and were unable to contact everyone which meant players turning up to find the place in darkness. Then the same thing happened again on Thursday.

"Also, one of our players saw another club using our post protectors. It might seem petty, but this equipment cost us about £100, a lot of money for a small, self-financing club, and if it had been damaged we would have had no redress".

A council spokesperson commented: "The Hare and Hounds store their post protectors at Parr Stocks and they were used by another club. This was correctly brought to the attention of the council and the offending club have been contacted regarding use of other people's property.

"The changing rooms are manned by a team of part-time seasonal workers who work during the evenings and at weekends. The attendant at Parr Stocks was taken into hospital so was unable to work and there were no replacement staff available. The club were informed of the situation as soon as was practicable and an offer was made to allow them use of the lights but not the changing rooms. This offer was declined.

"Over the last year the council has invested more than £100,000 into Parr Stocks changing rooms. The Hare and Hounds pay the council £340 for the season, which gives them use of a pitch and the changing rooms on alternate weeks.

"In addition, they pay £13 per night for the training facilities. For a club with 20 playing members, this equates to around £1.50 per player per week for the season."

However, the Hounds official countered: "The offer of the use of the lights was only made after I complained about our treatment.

"It was declined because it would have meant players getting changed outside on a cold, wet winter's night and then having to go home without a shower.

"Also, if someone could come down to turn the lights on and off, why couldn't they spare a few minutes more for the lads to get changed?

"And as we don't always have the same attendant, why did Parr Stocks have to be closed on both nights?

"Surely the council could have switched someone from one of their other facilities on one of the two."