A compromise could be found for an over-40s sports group which is being ousted from a council's leisure centre.

The group of 15 people, who have used the Meridian Sports Centre for six years, were outraged when told they could no longer use its facilities because a nearby school was commandeering the centre during weekdays.

They were told pupils of the £30 million Peacehaven Community School would have exclusive use of the sports hall from September.

However, following a successful lobby of councillors and MP Des Turner, they secured a meeting with Peter Crowley, head of Community Leisure, Lewes District Council's leisure management team.

A spokesman for Lewes District Council said Mr Crowley suggested several options for the group's future activities and said he would talk to the school to see if there was a chance the group could be allowed to play badminton during the school day.

He would also look at other local venues for badminton or offer alternative activities, such as table tennis, squash and racquet ball or short mat bowls.

Sarah Springford, marketing officer for Lewes District Council, said: "It's quite a balancing act to meet the needs of the school and the community at Meridian Leisure Centre.

"We have other activity and exercise spaces at the centre, not to mention our new Magic Castle children's soft playroom, but the sports hall is the largest area so we're having to make a number of changes to accommodate everyone.

"We've given community groups plenty of notice before the school takes up its full use in September and we will do everything we can to solve any problems and help local people get the best out of the Meridian's facilities."

The over-40s group uses the Meridian Leisure Centre for badminton, table tennis and gym sessions but at the end of last year it was told its badminton sessions could no longer be held from Monday to Friday.

Lewes District Council, which runs the centre, said the facility was developed on educational land and it had always been publicly known that the school would eventually take over the sports hall during term time.

Members of the club, which includes pensioners in their 70s and one of 82, are now hopeful they will be able to come to a compromise to allow them to use the centre at certain times during the day.