THE future of Active Images health club still hangs in the balance - despite a buyer being found for the sister gym in Mobberley.

Train Station Ltd, which currently operates three health clubs in Sale, Chester and Southport, has taken over the property at Mobberley.

However, the Leicester Street gym is a separate business and Train Station's managing director Paul Bird says he has no intention of taking over in Northwich.

He said: "We have not taken over Active Images as a company - the Northwich and Mobberley branches are separate businesses.

"The Mobberley branch is going into liquidation and as a result the property lease has been surrendered to the landlord. It is this lease we have taken over."

Mr Bird added that disappointed users of the Northwich gym were welcome to use the Mobberley branch for the next four weeks.

"We have entered a four-week licence agreement and for that time, as a gesture of goodwill, people from Northwich can use this gym," he said.

"After that we plan to buy the property and relaunch as one of our own health clubs.

"But we can offer no guarantees after that period. We are not able to promise to honour all memberships."

Northwich gym members were left outraged when they turned up to find Active Images closed on Tuesday, November 7. Many of them had paid up to £300 in membership fees.

It is still unclear as to whether the Northwich Active Images has gone into liquidation.

Owner Gerry Godfrey has refused to comment on the situation.