ANGRY former Wirral Council employees are preparing to launch a legal challenge in a bid to force the town hall to reinstate their leisure passes. 

A campaign of around 40 former staff have united in seeking to overturn the cost-saving move through the courts.

Last month local authority bigwigs wrote to around 400 ex-staff who were given "Passports for Life" on retirement - as a reward for long-service - demanding that they return their gifts.

They said the council could no longer afford to let them into leisure centres free of charge.

Campaign leader Norman Meddle - who is battling cancer - said: “We will not stop until we get these passports back.

“They were given to us for life and as far as I know our lives are still very much ongoing.

“We can only stand up for what we think is right, we have asked for meetings with councilors, but sadly heard nothing back.

“We have sent many emails questioning the council’s reasons for doing this but no-one seems to want to answer."

The retired social worker added: “It clearly states in the letter we received when we were given the passes they do not need renewing they just continue, so the council have backtracked.

“I would regularly use my gym pass in between illnesses. I would go the leisure centre while I was recovering from prostate cancer.”

The campaign is now seeking advice from union representatives about the legal challenge as well as making preparations for protest demonstrations outside council meetings.

The local authority issued a statement in April saying the withdrawal of the passes was made as part of the budget-setting process.

“To keep the centres financially viable and open for residents to enjoy, we are removing free access for a range of groups," a spokesman was quoted as saying.

"While we absolutely appreciate that this is disappointing for those people affected, we believe making these changes – which amount to in excess of £500,000 savings – will go a long way towards helping us retain a good leisure offer for Wirral residents."