MEMBERS of a swimming pool have hit out after discovering the opening hours at the facility have been reduced.

From September, Accrington Academy swimming pool will open to members for only 90 minutes daily on weekdays between 7am and 8.30am, and not at all on evenings and weekends.

Currently, the pool is open to members between 7am and 8.30am on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6.30am to 8.30am on Tuesday and Thursday, 4.30pm to 7pm on Monday to Friday and 2pm until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

A spokesman for the pool, which is part of Accrington Academy, said the changes have been made to give Pioneer Swim club, who use the pool, additional time to increase community swimming programmes which they said will see pool use rise.

But Carol Allen, a member of the swimming pool, has contacted the Lancashire Telegraph to complain about the changes which said she said were ‘unfair’.

Ms Allen, from Oswaldtwistle, who has been a member of the pool for 18 months and pays £19.50 per month membership, said: “I use the pool three times a week in the evening and get there for about 4.50pm after work during the evening session.

“I won’t be able to use the pool during the mornings as I’m working.

“I think it’s unfair that the Pioneers are getting increased time in the pool when paying members have their time reduced.

“It’s my way of keeping fit.”

But a spokesperson for Accrington Academy, said: “We are very fortunate that we have an outstanding pool facility that we are able to offer to the local community in a number of ways including primary school swimming.

"From September we have decided that we will refine the usage of the pool between the current partners. This will mean that Pioneer Swim club will have some additional time allocated to the pool to increase community swimming programmes which will see pool use increase. Unfortunately this does affect some members available slots for which we have reduced our costs accordingly.

“The pool will remain open to members for early morning swim.”