A SWIMMING group for asthmatics faces closure if price hikes for pool hire are enforced by council bosses.

Members of Blackburn Asthma Support Group and Darwen Snorkelling Club were astonished to arrive for sessions at Bank Hey Special School, Blackburn, to find a notice announcing a 30 per cent price rise -- on top of a 14 per cent increase in January.

After the Lancashire Evening Telegraph contacted Blackburn with Darwen Council about the increase, a spokeswoman said the council would review the situation.

Ann Wainwright, secretary of Blackburn Asthma Support Group, said the group would be forced to stop swimming sessions if they had to pay £41 per hour for pool hire.

Ann said the group could not survive if the price increase went ahead, as they only charged 50p per person to encourage low income families to bring children suffering from the lung condition.

Asthma, which is linked to smoking and poor housing and diet, is more common in less well-off households. She said: "Most of our fund-raising pays for the swimming groups. We are only a small group and we can raise very much. We would have to close if it goes up." She said: "Swimming is very important for asthmatics as exercise helps improve your lungs and quality of life. It's less likely to bring on an asthma attack than other kinds of exercise as you are breathing in moist air instead of dry air.

"It's difficult for asthma sufferers to go to ordinary pools as they are often frightened that they might have an attack and no one would know what to do."

Organisers always take a nebuliser to the pool in case any swimmers have attacks.

Hilary Whalley, who runs Darwen Snorkelling Club for youngsters, said she also feared the latest rise could mean the end for her club.

She said: "We are not a profit-making group. This is a real body blow."

A spokeswoman for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "Until the outcome of this, we will honour the old price and communicate directly with the clubs."