Almost 1,500 people have signed a petition to stop the planned closure of a family gym and health club in Wimbledon.

Virgin Active gym, on Battle Close, North Road, has built up around 4,000 members since it was opened almost two decades ago and offers personal training, fitness classes, a swimming pools and "family facilities."

But tenants Virgin Active have applied to Merton Council to surrender their lease on the property.

The company declined to comment on its reasons, but said it had held talks with Merton Council about the possibility of the site being taken back into council ownership.

A Virgin Active spokesman said: "We won't know more until the council's cabinet has met in mid-November to consider the proposal, but rest assured we'll share more information as soon as we have it.

"In the meantime, we're more than happy to show members our equally great facilities at our Wandsworth,Fulham, Streatham or Wimbledon Worple Road clubs if they'd like to stay with us."

The petition, set up by the North Road Family group, seeks to ensure the venue remains a health club with swimming pools and family facilities. It states: "We want to ensure a continuation of a health club located at Battle Close, that serves the community well by helping thousands of local residents stay active and healthy, teaching children a valuable life skill to swim as well as exercise is vital for the local community."

A spokesperson from Merton Council said: “Virgin Active has approached us about selling their lease on the Battle Close site, as we own the freehold.

“We have been discussing the proposal with Virgin Active but due to commercial sensitivities, we’re not able to say anything more at this stage. Once we have considered their proposal we will be in a position to say more.”

To visit the petition page visit www.change.org/p/merton-council-keep-our-local-family-gym