A NATIONAL fitness chain has admitted breaking York by-laws governing the employment of children.

Next Generation has reacted to the discovery by banning all future employment of youngsters aged under 16.

Last week the Evening Press reported that City of York Council was investigating claims that the club, in Hull Road, York, had broken the city's by-laws on under-16 workers.

The club denied any breaches of the laws, which state that children under 16 can only work two hours after school and on Sunday, and up to seven hours on Saturday until 7pm.

The club has admitted children under 16 did work in excess of the number of hours allowed by York by-laws and has decided not to employ anyone under the age of 16 in the future.

Chris McGinley, 16, of Crossfield Crescent in Fulford, York, told the Evening Press he had worked 37 hours in one week in the club's kitchen when he was only 15. He said: "I worked one night until 11pm and worked quite a lot on week nights."

He said he had worked for about nine hours one Sunday until 9pm, washing up and helping prepare food.

"I did ask for more hours, but I didn't know it was against the law," he said.

Chris said he was dismissed from his job without explanation in February after only two weeks.

He claimed there were other children under 16 who were also working later than 7pm and for more than two hours on Sunday. He said: "One lad was 14 and there were about three 15-year-olds washing dishes at the same time as me."

A spokeswoman from Next Generation said: "Next Generation Clubs has discovered that some youngsters under the age of 16 worked in excess of the legal hours allowed. This was done unwittingly and all parties involved were paid for the hours worked.

"In view of the complex laws and legislation involved regarding youngsters aged between 13 and 16 working, Next Generation Clubs has made an executive decision not to employ anyone under the age of 16 in the future.

"Next Generation Clubs has contacted all parties involved regarding this decision."

Mark Smith, City of York Council's principal education social worker, said: "It is entirely up to Next Generation who they employ as long as they abide by the by-laws and legislation.

"If they wish not to employ young people that is their choice. I am sure they are not the only firm that do not employ young people."

Updated: 10:12 Monday, May 26, 2003