Britain's biggest lottery winner is at loggerheads with a company which has built a fitness centre just yards from his own.

Mark Gardiner claims false rumours are circulating that his St Leonards health and fitness club, The Workplace on The Ridge, is on the brink of closure.

Mr Gardiner, 43, believes the whispers come from the nearby Bannatyne fitness club in a bid to undermine his business and sign up his customers.

But a spokesman for Bannatyne's, which officially opened yesterday, dismissed his allegations and said it welcomes healthy competition.

Mr Gardiner is furious at what he says are "malicious lies" and is seeking legal advice.

He said: "We have been going along our merry way and doing quite well. But over the past few weekends people coming to look at our place have said they have been told we are closing.

"It is not just one person. We have been told by 12 to 15 people that Bannatyne's staff have told them we won't be around soon.

"Part of me takes this as a compliment, that we must be doing something right for another company to spread malicious lies about us.

"But I'm annoyed because it has taken me ten years to get to this standard and get the membership we have."

Mr Gardiner bought the business when it was the Beauport Squash Club in 1996 after he and ex-business partner Paul Maddison jointly won £22.6 million on the lottery in June 1995.

Bannatyne Fitness said it would not resort to underhand tactics to see off competition.

In a statement, the company said: "The only sales tools our staff need is Bannatyne's quality facilities, customer service and value for money.

"Bannatyne Fitness has 36 clubs and around 100,000 members nationwide and welcomes healthy competition.

"We are looking forward to opening in Hastings and welcoming local people into our next successful health club."