LEISURE bosses have been forced into a u-turn after the Tele exposed how a disabled man had lost his £30-a-week job at the Waterfront Centre.

Ronnie Hawthorn, 47, was told that he would no longer be paid for his work at the complex after 17 years service.

Chiefs said he could continue on a voluntary basis but they could no longer to afford to pay him due to cutbacks.

The news sparked outrage and Inverclyde Leisure have now been forced into a climbdown days later.

Ronnie who has Down's syndrome, said: "I'm looking forward to going back to the Waterfront and seeing all my friends.

"I feel a bit happier."

The Greenock man had earlier been sent a P45 without a thank-you, presentation or redundancy payment.

His parents Ronald and Anne contacted the Telegraph saying they were disgusted at the way their son had been treated.

They held an initial meeting with sports centre managers, which led to Ronnie being reinstated.

Ronald, 69, of Kingston Dock, said: "I met David McCorkindale and Stuart Boyle [of Inverclyde Leisure] on Friday morning.

"David said the situation could have been handled better.

"I said we expected a letter and he said one was being prepared.

"I replied by asking him, 'six weeks later?'

"He also said that they were going to give Ronnie a presentation at Christmas."

At a second meeting on Monday Ronnie was present and although at first he wasn't keen to go back the situation was sorted.

Ronald said: "They bent over backwards and to their credit resolved the situation quite quickly."

Ronnie previously worked eight hours over two days and was paid for 3.7 of those hours.

He has decided to go back on Tuesdays between 9am and 1pm and will be fully paid for these hours and will be reimbursed for the wages he's lost.

Ronald, who formerly worked at IBM and a motor factors, said: "His first question to Stuart was 'will I get a payslip?'

"It wasn't about the cash - it's the importance of getting the payslip, and to be paid for his work like his brother and his sister.

"It didn't matter if it was 12p or £12,000."

Ronnie told the Tele: "It's important to me to get my payslip because it shows I'm earning my own money."

Anne added: "He felt less important if he was going into work for nothing.

"Money doesn't mean anything to Ronnie.

"It was the payslip.

"He likes to check his bank account and see how much he's saved up for his holidays.

"It means he's making a contribution."

The family say they've been inundated with good wishes, plus job offers, since the Tele revealed Ronnie's plight.

Other people were also willing to pay Inverclyde Leisure to employ Ronnie.

Anne, 68, said: "I think Inverclyde Leisure have been overwhelmed by the public reaction.

"Loads of people have got to know Ronnie over the years.

"He's a popular guy.

"He was offered two jobs, one at the spa at Gleddoch House Hotel and one at Ardgowan Fishery."

Anne said: "The manager at Gleddoch said she heard that Ronnie is very hardworking and said if he changes his mind they would love to employ him."

Ronald said both he and his wife have been touched by the response from the Inverclyde community.

He said: "The response from the public has been tremendous. It's been a bit overwhelming but it shows what people think of Ronnie and how well known and liked he is.

"We've had texts from people in Manchester and and family in Italy supporting Ronnie."

Inverclyde Leisure bosses have now said sorry to Ronnie for what happened.

They described it as 'a misunderstanding over a change in working pattern'.

Kieron Vango, IL chief executive, said: “We apologise to Ronnie and his parents for the confusion, which came about after the recent decentralisation of our cleaners, who are now utilised across all areas of the facility, rather than individual areas, to make the best use of our resources and provide the best possible standards for our customers.

"All cleaning staff, including Ronnie, were offered positions, but Ronnie was keen to continue working the same shifts and to stay on poolside.

"We have worked closely with Ronnie and his parents to find a solution and are delighted that he is going to continue working in a paid role at the Waterfront Leisure Centre.

“Ronnie is a respected and well thought of employee.

"He prides himself on his role, and does a great job.

"We are fortunate that he has been with us for so long and hope he continues to be with us for many more years."