The Tory-run council clashed with the Labour group when it originally refused to join the scheme, which would have meant free trips to the pool for under-18s and over-60s.

Last week town MP Laura Moffatt pleaded with the government's sport secretary, Andy Burnham, to extend the deadline and give the council a chance to rethink the offer.

She said:"I think we have all thought this was an opportunity lost for Crawley people. It is an issue which caused considerable upset in the town."

She said the scheme would be great news for local businesses, since it would draw people from neighbouring towns to Crawley, as well as improve public health. She added that the minister had agreed to make an exception and allow Crawley to join the scheme - but only if it applies soon.

But the council's leader Bob Lanzer said. "The offer is no different from before," he said.

"You can't restrict the concession to Crawley people only and we're in a position where neighbouring areas haven't taken it up.

"I think there would be a real risk of K2 becoming over-used to the detriment of Crawley people.

"Also, the government is only guaranteeing funding for two years, and I think they'll stitch local authorities up in a couple of year's time by not continuing the funding - which would mean an extra £120,000 cost." He added: "We prefer to put in services we can sustain."

Last month fuming protesters outside Town Hall waved placards in anger after the council first said no to signing up to the scheme.