A petition has been deemed invalid despite collecting 2,142 signatures.

The petition calling for a rethink over plans to replace Sheringham's Splash Leisure and Fitness Centre won't now be discussed by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC).

The petition demanding the council reverses course on plans to replace the centre and swimming pool was launched amid fears its £12.7m replacement would belly flop. The new centre will be without the 'beach-style' layout, wave machine and slide that have proved popular since the pool was opened in 1988.

The petition was sent by Liam Cross, from Dersingham, to NNDC for consideration. He said the replacement was "not fit for purpose".

But the council said in a letter to Mr Cross that it did "not meet either of the thresholds for consideration at a meeting of Full Council or a debate of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, as only 429 signatories can be identified as being within the district".

The number of signatures from the district needed for it to be debated at Cabinet is 1500, while it's 750 at the Overview and Scrutiny committee.

Signatories need to be people who live, work or study in the North Norfolk district.

However, Mr Cross has hit back at the ruling.

He said: "The whole premise of this petition is to prove just how many people from outside the north Norfolk district use Splash. These are all people who will not travel to use the new facility. If anything, it has further emphasised my point."

The council said the petition would be reported to the next meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on September 18 to make them aware it had been received.