XERCISE4LESS has sacked an employee and launched an internal investigation after they 'changed the date of birth' of a 15-year-old boy to tie him into a contract.

The youngster's mum, Andrea Roby, slammed the budget gym, which is based at Cockhedge Shopping Centre, following the 'fraudulent' act.

He joined the site in November but tried to cancel the direct debit after suffering a shoulder injury.

However, the family were left stunned after being told that a member of staff altered his date of birth to show him as being 18 in order to place him in a contract.

Andrea, from Padgate, said: "He joined the gym in November – he paid a £25 joining fee and £11.99 for a month's membership.

"We set it all up but he had to cancel due to a shoulder injury and, without us knowing, Xercise4Less had changed his date of birth to make him 18, so that he was in a contract and they could collect direct debit payments.

"A member of staff admitted that they changed his date of birth to collect the direct debit payments.

"I said that is fraud. He was not meant to be in a contract as he is 15.

"I cancelled the direct debit and said that I don't mind paying them the month I owe as I should have given them 30 days' notice.

"He's been getting calls at school about this, saying they will send debt collectors down.

"My son, who is doing his GCSEs, has been fearing that debt collectors will be going to the house.

"I think this gym needs to be stopped to avoid putting any other family through this."

Xercise4Less confirmed all charges have been removed from the account, with money refunded 'directly from head office'.

A spokesman added: "The salesperson in question has been immediately removed from the business.

"We have robust measures in place to prevent this kind of practice.

"Clearly they were circumnavigated in this instance and therefore, despite this being an isolated incident, we are carrying out a full internal investigation to ensure it does not happen again."