A swimming club for the disabled has thrown its weight behind our campaign to ensure the future of York's public pools.

Dennis Woodcock, chairman of New Earswick Disabled Swimming Club, said it held water therapy sessions at the village's pool to which York District Hospital referred some people.

As a result they had a waiting list for their busy sessions and tried to cater for more severely disabled people, such as those in wheelchairs.

Those who had difficulties but could get into the water themselves, who may include people who had received hip or limb replacements, generally went to the threatened Yearsley Pool instead.

"It's absolutely essential that it stays open for people like this, as well as other swimmers," said Mr Woodcock.

He added that if the Yearsley Pool was closed it would leave 50,000 people in the north York area without a local pool.

"These 50,000 people need a facility for learning to swim, recuperating after operations, and all sorts of things. It's absolutely ludicrous if it closes," said Mr Woodcock.

He was also concerned that the financial implications of keeping the pools open or closing them had not been revealed.

"We should be talking about refurbishment of the pool and not closure," he said.

Mr Woodcock was confident public pressure would keep the pool open - but the pressure should then be kept up to bring wheelchair access and other facilities for the disabled to Yearsley.

If you wish to support the Evening Press Save Our Swim Campaign to protect both the Barbican and Yearsley Pools please write to us at: Evening Press Newsdesk, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN, or e-mail us at: newsdesk@ycp.co.uk

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