TEXT messages sent to remind people to go to the gym after a break of more than a week are an annoying waste of money, according to a Fenland councillor.

Wisbech Standard: Cllr Gary SwanCllr Gary Swan (Image: Archant)

The area’s leisure centres have a system of communication to text and email customers who have not attended for a while in a bid to keep people as members.

However, Gary Swan said that the texts were “annoying” and if it was necessary to make contact then it should be done via a free email rather than a text costing 2p a time.

Director of Leisure in Fenland, Phil Hughes, said the texts were sent at a very low cost in a system designed on keeping members.

Cllr Swan said he was concerned that the payback could not be calculated as the messages were sent to people who had already paid as part of their membership.

Councillors Ralph Butcher and Pop Jolley agreed the system needed to be looked at to see if it was worthwhile.

The communication discussion took place in a recent meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Fenland District Council.