Fitness-conscious women look set to lose hundreds of pounds after a ladies-only gym closed without warning.

About 300 members of Oranges Health Club, Eld Lane, Colchester, paid up to £200 up front for one to three years' membership.

But when they went to use the facilities on Friday, the shutters were locked and a notice said the gym had ceased trading "due to circumstances beyond our control" and said all members would be contacted and a phone number displayed in a few days. It gave a contact address of a post office box number in Leeds. But members are still waiting to be contacted.

Kathryne King, 20, of Rowhedge Road, Colchester, paid £120 for a year's membership.

She said: "I am disappointed that I have lost the money. It is not good to happen especially to people who have finally motivated themselves to go to a gym."

Trevor Simpson, principal officer at Essex Trading Standards, said his department had received complaints about the closure.

Mr Simpson said the company was based in Yorkshire.

This Is Essex was unable to contact Oranges Health Club either in Essex or Yorkshire for comment.

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