LEISURE bosses claimed introducing fast, medium and slow lanes at Darwen’s swimming pool would ‘open a can of worms’ One swimmer lodged a comment with Darwen Leisure Centre about the lack of speed indicators in both pools.

She said: “It can become frustrating for swimmers of all abilities when they are unable to swim at their leisure or complete sets required at a faster pace... a slow swimmer can feel pressured to swim faster and tire quicker, and a faster swimmer forced to slow down. Would it not be sensible to reintroduce these signs alongside the current directive ones, to allow swimmers of all abilities to complete swim sessions that they have attended the pool to complete, and feel that they are getting their £3.35 worth?”

Duty manager Kelvin Sole said it was a valid point which was given ‘careful consideration’, but said it could cause friction between swimmers and staff as people sometimes have a different view of their speed.