ATHERTON Swimming Club is fighting back despite losing its much loved pool at the end of the month.

The doors will close for the last time at the 102-years-old Mayfield Street baths on April 1 after the re-growing club's final session.

Though membership of the club fell by 75 per cent to 33 members after the pool shutdown was announced, numbers have more than doubled back to 70 following an appeal by committee members.

Now secretary, Lev Baddley, is calling on all past and present members to join the goodbye session between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on March 31.

He said: "That last time in the pool will be sad for all of us, but we are quite pleased with the increasing membership at the moment and we hope to get back to nearer our previous membership of 130 when we settle in at Tyldesley."

The club moves to Tyldesley on April 4 and session times are Tuesday 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Wednesday 7.30pm to 10pm.

Lev said: "We are a local and family based swimming community and our aims are to continue to provide a safe, secure learning environment and an opportunity to compete in galas for our children. We hope all our former members will come and join us."