A SHOCK report has put the cost of bringing a council's swimming pool up to scratch at almost £500,000.

Rossendale Council was already facing a bill of £250,000 for repairs to Whitworth Baths. Now councillors have been told the 1970s pool has even more problems than first thought because of lack of maintenance since it was first opened.

Recent tests have shown structural movement round the small pool and plant room which will need to be monitored. The new problems could mean closure for the pool which, like all the Valley's baths, also needs around £25,000 of modifications to make it accessible to disabled swimmers.

The biggest problem the pool faces is in its ageing filtration system which councillors have already been warned could fail at any time.

A report to the council's Policy Committee on Monday states that the filters which should be overhauled every 10 years have never been emptied or changed in nearly 30 years.

The report adds that another £100,000 is needed for repairs to Marl Pits and Haslingden pools in addition to modifications for disabled swimmers.

Marl Pits, built in the 1970s, needs both internal and external repair and maintenance work. Haslingden Pool, built in the 1920s, also needs work inside and out with the biggest bill for alterations to the changing rooms.

Bacup Baths has been closed for three years and is now in a worse state than ever because of vandalism. Councillors are hoping for Lottery funding to build a new pool next to Bacup Leisure Hall which is being designed as a centre of excellence for disabled swimmers.

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