TWO keep fit enthusiasts were shocked to find their vehicles had been clamped in the car park of the Southampton gym where they were members.

Fitness First members Daniel Nash, 21, and his pal Guy Holloway, 25, had to shell out £120 each to free their cars.

Bosses at the company have launched an inquiry into the incident and have promised to refund the men's money after the firm was contacted by the Daily Echo.

Trouble began for Daniel and Guy from Radipole Road in Poole last Friday afternoon (Nov 3) when they met up in Southampton and decided to go for a workout.

The pair, who are both members of Fitness First in Bournemouth, are entitled to use any of Fitness First's network of gyms across the country.

They parked their cars in the Fitness First car park in Shirley High Street before going to a cashpoint to get some money.

However, when they returned to begin their workouts just 20 minutes later, they discovered that both their cars had been immobilised.

Daniel of Brackendale Road in Bournemouth told the Daily Echo: "We were in the area and we decided to go for a workout. We went to the bank to get some money and when we got back we found out that our cars had both been clamped."

The pair immediately spoke to Fitness First managers to complain about their treatment but were told that they would have to pay the fee because they had been gone for 20 minutes before they returned to the gym.

Daniel said: "It is ridiculous. They said they only had car parking spaces for 130 cars. They said we went off for 20 minutes before we got into the gym.

"My girlfriend had to come all the way from Bournemouth by train to pay for our cars to be released. I think it is disgusting. My membership costs me £35 a month. I thought this membership gave me the freedom to use any of their gyms across the country. I now just want to hand my membership back. It is not my idea of customer care."

Andy Escott-Carrington team manager for Fitness First in Bournemouth confirmed that his company would be launching an investigation into the incident and promised to refund the men's money. He said: "We will certainly put things right. It is not our policy to inconvenience members. The only reason that the clamping policy is in place is because it is quite a small car park with a lot of members and they want to make sure that when they park there, they use the gym.I have spoken to Mr Nash about the incident and you can be sure we will put things right."