COUNCILLORS will be asked to consider the future of Whitworth Pool after urgent repairs to equipment costing nearly £60,000 were highlighted in a health and safety report.

Although the Rossendale Council has £29,980 in its repairs and maintenance budget, that still leaves a shortfall of £29,520.

And further work is also required on the flat roof and water treatment works.

In a report to Tuesday's leisure, recreation and amenities committee Ed Travaskis, sport and leisure direct services' organisation manager, says: "If to remain open, a full conditional survey should be undertaken at the facility, a requirement recommended by both officers and prospective outsourcing contractors.

He concludes: "Members therefore need to consider the future of this facility, bearing in mind the issues of lack of leisure facilities in this part of the borough and the desire for a new swimming facility in Bacup."

Whitworth councillor Ron Pickup accused the ruling Conservative group of pursuing a 'two pool policy' and said it would cost considerably less to make Whitworth a facility for the future than build a new £2million complex in Bacup, which had already been turned down for Lottery funding.