THE soft play area at Musselburgh Sports Centre has been temporarily closed for a deep clean after concern was raised about the cleanliness of the facility.

Pictures were shared online by a parent, resulting in an apology from Enjoy Leisure, the charitable health, wellbeing and leisure trust which manages the centre on behalf of East Lothian Council.

The parent was concerned about dirt and dust at the soft play area. Photo: Musselburgh Folks, Facebook

The parent said on the Musselburgh Folks Facebook page: "Visited Musselburgh Sports Centre soft play today with my young toddler. This is the cleanliness of a children’s play area. Thought I’d share to make other parents who might take their children there aware."

The photos show thick layers of dust and dirt, and surfaces covered in black dirty marks, as well as netting covered with dust.

Netting was covered with dust. Photo: Musselburgh Folks, Facebook

Bill Axon, chief executive of Enjoy Leisure, said: "The cleanliness of our facilities is extremely important to us.

Concern was raised about dirt at the soft play area. Photo: Musselburgh Folks, Facebook

"We were very concerned and disappointed to see the pictures shared online, which a customer took while visiting one of our soft play sites.

"We have temporarily closed the soft play while we await a deep clean at the site, and have taken steps to ensure the required cleaning measures are met to bring the soft play back to the standard we expect.

Concern was raised at dirt at the soft play area. Photo: Musselburgh Folks, Facebook

"We can only apologise that, on this occasion, we have failed to meet the high standards expected of us and we look forward to welcoming our customers and members back very soon."