BADMINTON enthusiasts are upset that they’ve been kicked off court to make way for a car boot sale.

Several players were told that they couldn’t book their weekly Sunday morning slot at Taunton’s Blackbrook Pavilion as the hall isn’t free for the next couple of months.

Roger Farthing, who has played there for several years, is angry that the sale has been given preference at a sports facility.

“The Blackbrook is supposed to promote sport, well-being and healthy activities, yet it seems they’d rather use it for a car boot sale,” said Mr Farthing.

“It’s obvious that they think they can make more money with a car boot sale than through people playing sport.

“Surely sport shouldn’t take second place to a money-making operation in a council sporting facility.

“They said we could book at Wellsprings Leisure Centre instead, but that’s not really the point.

“We’ve been using the Blackbrook for a long time and it seems wrong that we’ve had to move for a car boot sale.”

Centre manager Richard McGrory said there is “something for everyone” at the Blackbrook, with a wide range of activities making it “inclusive of the whole community”.

He added: “Consequently we offer traditional sports, such as badminton to community events such as the car boot.

“The time of the car boot has been shifted at the centre due to a higher demand in the mornings and to alleviate pressure of the busy afternoon period that incorporates football matches and tennis tournaments, when the centre attracts 250 plus visitors.

“At the centre we always offer open sports hall space where members and non members can actively book courts or sports hall usage for whatever activity they choose.

“The badminton players have been accommodated with alternative times for their activity as the centre is open 13 hours on a Sunday, of which five hours are available for members and non members to access the sports hall.”