A SNORKELLING club that has run for 20 years may be forced to close after it was told it could no longer use a Blackburn pool.

Darwen Snorkelling Club were told by staff at Waves Water Fun Centre that they will have to move to Bank Hey pool, in Upper Ewood, because they do not bring in enough money.

Waves, situated near the town centre, is the borough's busiest pool. But the club's organisers claim that the new pool is too far away for all its members to get to and the cost of hiring it will be too high.

Today Blackburn with Darwen Council said talks about the move were continuing and that the club would continue to receive a discount on the cost of pool hire.

Hilary Whalley, club secretary and treasurer, said: "One of our members is disabled and she won't even be able to get into Bank Hey."

The club already has one night at the pool in Upper Ewood but they claim that the night is very poorly attended and the majority of its members only go to the session at Waves.

Mrs Whalley said they have 27 members and they have been at Waves for 11 years. She said they pay £2.15 per person at Waves and £37 per hour at Bank Hey.

"I can't believe the way we've been treated," she said.

"We've been given no notice and we were told that it was not open to discussion.

"At Bank Hey they charge us by the hour and not by the person, this flat rate will be far too expensive for us to meet."

"Most of our 27 members have to use public transport and some come from out of the area and they won't be able to get out to Bank Hey."

Executive Member for Leisure and Culture for Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Kate Hollern said: ""We have supported the club in the past and intend to have further talks with them in a bid to help promote snorkelling in the borough."