LIBERAL Democrat councillors staged an angry demonstration against plans to axe free swimming for under-16s and over-60s.

Members of the Lib Dem Party, including councillors, and Afzal Anwar, defeated Parliamentary candidate, gathered outside Nelson Town Hall before Thursday night’s full council meeting to show their anger at the proposals to axe the service.

The new Tory and Lib Dem government has scrapped the national swimming scheme, which supported free sessions across East Lancashire.

But Lib Dems in Pendle said only £49,000 of the £120,000 cost was financially supported by Whitehall They are blaming the new Tory-Labour alliance for not pledging to keep the initiative, with the borough council footing the bill.

Inside the town hall, a row erupted after Coun David Whipp accused the Conservative and Labour Parties of making the decision in ‘secret’.

The argument saw Coun Whipp call chairman, Coun Tony Beckett, a ‘disgrace’ and the borugh’s ‘worst mayor in 20 years’.

Councillors voted in favour of retaining the free swimming until a meeting could take place where each member and party could have their say on the future decision. The amendment was suggested by Coun Mike Calvert.