Jim Paynter, of Grand Parade, St Leonards, also claims the changing rooms at Summerfield Leisure Centre in Bohemia Road were also filthy.

He said: "On Monday I tried to take my five-year-old daughter for a swim, something she had been looking forward to all weekend, but was faced with dirty greasy floors in the changing rooms covered in matted hair and chewing gum.

"Once we entered the pool a swimming attendant was very keen to keep a group of young lads away from the shallow end wall because there was faeces smeared all over the pool floor.

"My daughter realised the pool was dirty and that we needed to get out.

"She was very upset at missing out on her swim and so was I because the staff at the pool were keen to clean it quickly without anyone knowing about the potential germs and infection that we were already exposed to.

"Any faeces in the water means the pool has to be closed for at least one whole day, while stronger chemicals are used to ensure any germs and infections are killed."

Mr Paynter said it was not the first time he had complained about the state of the pool and changing rooms.

He said: "We as a family have now decided that we will not be swimming there again."

Karen Burrell, head of marketing for Freedom Leisure, which runs Summerfield Leisure Centre, said: "Our understanding is that the customer made a complaint on departure from Summerfield Leisure Centre and unfortunately, there was no opportunity for the site manager, Darryl Keech, to apologise, explain the circumstances and to make reparation to Mr Paynter and his daughter.

"If Mr Paynter would care to visit the centre again, to meet with Mr Keech he would be delighted to offer a complimentary family swim and to explain the procedures and show this customer the relevant documentation."

She said Summerfield Leisure Centre was recently awarded a 'Highly Commended' award by Quest, praising its customer care.

Ms Burrell said: "The company aims for the very highest levels of customer service, cleanliness and management and are apologetic that an isolated incident resulted in a disappointed child and an unhappy parent.

"Health and safety policy stipulates that when an incident of solid soiling in the water takes place, the procedure to follow is to immediately remove the solids, clean the immediate area and increase chlorination levels, which will ensure that there is no danger of contamination by swimmers.

"There is no need to close the pool under these circumstances. It would, however, be necessary to immediately close the pool if the incident involved a case of diarrhoea, which in this incident was not the case.

"Total pool closure would then be required whilst filtration and chlorination is completed."

The firm said changing rooms were checked hourly with inspections fully documented.

Ms Burrell said: "Freedom Leisure is sorry that on this occasion the changing rooms were found not to be up to the expected standard.

"But, of course, an inspection can only ever be a 'snap-shot' in time and members of the public are encouraged to report any cleanliness issues to staff, which can then be addressed."