I must comment on Anthony Power's letter (December 20) in which he advocates the conversion of the Barbican and Yearsley swimming pools into private health clubs.

He then says the council should ensure every schoolchild learns to swim.

Most of York schools do not have pools. If the Barbican and Yearsley are to close where are these children going to learn to swim and where are they going to be able to maintain this skill without parents having to pay for expensive private facilities?

He also states the council should promote a wide range of fitness activities in co-operation with the health services designed to reduce coronary heart disease and other problems. Doctors say swimming is one of the best health-promoting activities and, in some cases, the only exercise some can take because of other disabilities. Most people who benefit from pools neither want nor can afford fancy apparatus.

A T Acomb,

Hillcrest Avenue,

Nether Poppleton, York.

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