HUNDREDS of people joined a protest rally over the treatment of Huddersfield's Owls groups.

The over 50s lobbied Huddersfield Sports Centre managers after claims they have been shabbily treated.

The Owls, an over-50s weekday leisure group, is upset at how Kirklees Active Leisure (KAL) has handled the group since it took over control of the Sports Centre two years ago.

Members are also worried they are being pushed out of Huddersfield Sport Centre where they meet and take part in activities.

At a meeting prompted by angry comments sent to the Examiner's letters page KAL chief executive Terry Meehan faced questions from more than 200 Owls - many of whom have been members of the group since it was founded in Slaithwaite in the early 1980s by 89-year-old Edith Bentley MBE.

The main concerns were that management did not communicate well enough with the members and members never knew what was going on.

Since the group was formed the weekday leisure sessions have grown in popularity and now take place each day of the week.

Owls spokeswoman Noreen Logan, of Dalton, thought the meeting was a step in the right direction but was concerned not enough would be done.

She said: "Mr Meehan sat down with us and he listened and that is what we needed to do.

"There are problems but we are hopeful we should be able to right them and get things back to how they used to be.

"There is undoubtedly a communication problem between us and the management. Things keep changing and upset the way we have always done things and we don't get told about them until the very last minute.

"Things like where we socialise. We used to be able to use the conservatory upstairs or the Windsor Suite but now we have to sit in the canteen with everybody else. It is not ideal."

A questionnaire is now going to be sent out to all Owls members past and present to ask them for their views on how things could be improved.

Mr Meehan said: "It was a useful meeting where the Owls made some good points.

"We are hoping we can sort out their worries.

"We don't want to lose the Owls, they are very important to us and I understand this is an issue they feel very strongly about.

"I am confident we can take on board what the Owls have told us and hopefully put it right."

Any Owls members who do not receive a questionnaire through the post should contact KAL marketing manager Damon Shaw on 01484 232506.