COUNCIL bosses fear they could be facing a hefty repairs bill after they discovered Darwen's swimming pool was leaking.

Less than a year after the 1930s glass roof at Darwen Leisure Centre was restored with the aid of Lottery money, officers have started totting up how much it will cost to repair the leaking pool.

The woman in charge of leisure at Blackburn with Darwen Council today pledged that the pool would not close because of the leak.

But opposition councillors claimed it was the tip of the iceberg of a catalogue of problems which could be triggered within the council's property portfolio because not enough money is being spent on them.

Conservative finance spokesman Michael Lee said: "We have certain assets which have been allowed to deteriorate and are in need of substantial investment if they are to continue to generate income and provide the essential infrastructure for our local economy.

"One such example is Darwen Leisure Centre which is in rapid decline, and with a leaking pool.

"It was once a centre of excellence within the council and leisure industry as a whole, attracting customers from near and far.

"It is the only leisure facility in Darwen for a population of 35,000 people and without urgent investment it will deteriorate."

Coun Kate Hollern, in charge of culture and sport at the council, said: "Darwen Leisure Centre has received a large amount of investment in the last year - £160,000 on buildings and £25,000 on facilities for people with disabilities.

" The pool is old and old pools do leak from time to time, that is a fact.

"We carry out repairs when necessary and we will look at ways fund further investment in the centre.

"But there is absolutely no threat of imminent closure and the people who visit the leisure centre can go on enjoying the subsidised use of the pool, the gym, the courts and sports hall."

More than £400,000 has been spent on restoration and repairs at the pool over the last four years.

She added the cost of the repairs were currently being worked out.