Olympic success prompts calls for a pool

Competition co-ordinator at Staines Swimming Club, Alison McCarthy, said: "I think it's something every borough has a duty to provide - not to have any sort of swimming pool is a failing in this day and age.

"I think some children could end up missing out. If they can't get to a pool easily then they are not likely to be committed swimmers."

Surrey county councillor Ray Lowther, who has campaigned for a pool in the borough for 40 years, said: "It's sad, especially now we are doing so well in swimming in the Olympics."

Mr Lowther added in the 1960s Runnymede Council considered building a pool in Woburn Hill, Addlestone, and even carried out test borings at the site. But the project never came to fruition and the only pool in Chertsey is at River Bourne Health Club in Heriot Road.

He said: "Woking, Elmbridge and Spelthorne all built swimming pools years ago. To say there is a swimming pool in Staines is not the point - not all families have cars."

Englefield Green West councillor Mike Kusneraitis has two young sons who swim regularly - at pools in Windsor and Bracknell. He said: "I would love to see a council swimming pool in Runnymede. I think it's vital all children learn to swim - especially following the amazing success of the Olympic team."

A council spokeswoman said River Bourne Health Club was a result of a initiative to encourage private leisure operators to provide a facility to benefit the community.

Leisure and environment committee chairman, Cllr Chris Norman added: "The only way to pay for a pool would be to shut other services.