Campaigners demonstrate to save threatened swimming pool

2.44.26pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 28th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners were amongst a group of local people who demonstrated to save a threatened swimming pool. The campaigners want Derby City Council to drop plans to close the pool at Gayton Junior School.

The march took place at the b-active event in Derby's market place.

One of the marchers Lib Dem Cllr Ruth Skelton, who has been a leading campaigner trying to save the pool stated "The b-active event was set up by Derby council to encourage children to do more exercise. Yet Labour Council leaders want to close a school swimming pool used by hundreds of children across Derby. This doesn't make sense.

"We totally back the b-active campaign but we can only encourage children to do exercise if they have the facilities to do sport. Labour Council bosses have ignored petitions and appeals to save Gayton Swimming Pool. So now local people are having to take to the streets to save it.

"The best way the council can promote the b-active campaign is by keeping Gayton Swimming Pool open."