SWIMMING pools at a leisure centre have been closed for the next two weeks for maintenance work.

Council bosses have closed the baths at Padiham Leisure Centre, in Park Road, to allow work to be carried out.

The essential work, which comes just at the start of the school holidays, includes building maintenance and a general freshen-up for the whole facility.

Council chiefs said that while the pool is shut, all private swimming classes have been transferred to St Peter’s Leisure Centre, in Church Street, Burnley.

A council spokesman said: “During the short closure period, all members and customers can use the fitness room, health suite, and swimming pool at the St Peter’s Leisure Centre and all those facilities available through the wider Active Network which covers East Lancashire.

“The closure has been timed to ensure that all school swimming lessons were not disturbed and the centre will reopen for its usual times on Monday, August 4.”

Fitness classes have also been temporarily relocated to the Unitarian Church in Padiham.

Gerard Vinton, chief executive of Burnley Leisure, said: “Maintaining the facilities to their usual high standard is one of our key priorities, to ensure that our customers continue to enjoy this great popular facility for many years to come.

“We are sure customers will be satisfied with the end result and we will eagerly welcome them back.”