SWIMMERS in York have been given more good news.

Following the Evening Press Save Our Swim campaign last year, councillors approved a £7 million spending programme on the Edmund Wilson, Yearsley and Barbican pools.

Now more than 300 places are available at New Earswick Swimming Club, which claims to be one of the few facilities in York offering open swim sessions at night.

Club chairman David Dorman said their 20-metre pool, situated behind the folk hall on the village's main road, was being under-used, and encouraged families to join.

He told the Evening Press: "We could do with another 60 or 70 families joining the club which amounts to about 300 places that are up for grabs.

"The pool is clearly not being used as much as it should be and we welcome anyone to come along and join.

"In the light of the protests generated when the council's pools were threatened with closure, we want swimmers to know we are here."

Mr Dorman said the club put on swim teaching sessions for over-five-year-olds and also staged club competitions.

The total cost for a full family to join the swimming club for a year is £60.

Keen swimmer John Yoward, of Holgate, York, said: "This is fantastic news.

"Last year it looked like swimming in York was dead and buried but now we have all sorts of options.

"It's important that people use the facilities on offer."

Edmund Wilson, in Thanet Road, Acomb, is set to close for 20 weeks at the beginning of next summer in a £1 million refurbishment package.

The work includes extensive work on its changing room facilities, replacing pipework and valves, replacing the ventilation system, replacing emergency lighting, relocating the creche and providing toilets for disabled people.

For more information about New Earswick Swimming Club contact Mr Dorman on 01904 625702.

Updated: 11:24 Monday, October 22, 2001