To say in South Leeds that we have the new acquatics centre which takes over from South Leeds Sports Centre is utter rubbish.

This pool was built to take over from the International Pool in the centre of Leeds, not as an alternative to South Leeds Sports Centre.

The two centres accomodate a quite different type of swimmer. This new pool is meant for the very good swimmers of Leeds, it certainly does not take into account the elderly population of South Leeds, of which there are many, or the disabled population of South Leeds.

I, as a disabled elderly person, cannot gain access to the pool there. I complained bitterly to Leeds City Council after having many falls out of the South Leeds Sports Centre – yes, falling out of the pool may sound strange, but I cannot lift my legs up very high to get out of the pool at South Leeds and there-fore consisitently fell out of the pool.

After complaining they fitted a more friendly type of steps to get in and out of the pool.

The current steps at the new centre are even worse than they were at South Leeds Sports Centre.

I don't want to be lifted in by a pool lift, I am determined to stay as independent as I can for as long as I can.

Is Leeds City Council worried about the introduction of non-paying pensioners as announced by the Government recently? I think they are, and they want to discourage us oldies from going swimming to be able to keep fit and live longer.

South Leeds Sports Centre MUST stay open.

Wendy Martin, Leeds