YORK'S swimming pools have been saved thanks to a remarkable demonstration of people power. The fact that the Barbican, Yearsley and Edmund Wilson baths are to remain open, on the same sites, and will benefit from £7 million of investment is an unconditional acceptance of the will of York's citizens by City of York Council.

Swimming is one of the few activities everyone can enjoy, from the tiniest tot to the oldest grandparent. As soon as the council's leisure review threw the pools' future into doubt, the protests began.

The Evening Press Save Our Swim campaign won overwhelming support from readers. People from all walks of life joined up. Parents and children, pensioners and school headteachers were among those who marched to save the pools.

Doctors suggested that closure would contradict the council's pledge to improve the health of citizens. One respected historian pointed out that Yearsley baths were given to the people of York by the Rowntree family, and it was not for the council to take the pool back.

Most impressively of all, an astonishing 26,600 people signed petitions to keep the pools open.

The controversy undoubtedly played a part in the by-election results that robbed Labour of its overall majority on the council. Rattled, it launched a consultation about the pools' future. Whether this was necessary, when 26,600 people had already made their feelings known, is debatable.

But finally the self-styled "listening council" has heard what the people of York are saying: that swimming pools are among the basic facilities they expect their council to provide.

The decision to retain and invest in the pools is the right one, not only for present York residents but for future generations. They will enjoy these improved facilities because of the tidal wave of protest by ordinary people. To everyone who made a splash, today is your day.