WE are repeatedly told by politicians that the nation is becoming more unhealthy and urged to exercise more.

Yet often the sort of publicly-funded leisure facilities that have enabled us to stay fit are cut back in the name of financial economy.

The strength of feeling against such moves is highlighted vividly by the fact that 8,000 people out of a population of around 10,000 in Padiham have signed a petition deploring any attempt to remove the swimming facilities they enjoy.

What has clearly upset them is that they have been asked for their views on various options as part of a "review" of leisure facilities in the borough of Burnley.

Experience has shown that "review" often means you end up with less than you had before the review took place.

The Mayor of Padiham, Coun Bob Clark, says the council is determined that the town "shall not be without a swimming pool and the facilities that go with it."

But Burnley Council's head of leisure says the debate "is really about the longer term vision for the future of all our leisure facilities."

What the people of Padiham clearly want to know is precisely what this means.

If it does not mean a local, public swimming pool which can be used by all ages during the day and at weekends politicians will be ignoring the feelings of the people of Padiham.