USERS of Blackburn's Waves water centre have reacted furiously to Tory councillors' pledge to shut the complex if they seize power in May's elections.

Residents who use the swimming pool and gym said the town centre site played a vital part in keeping them healthy - and said they would not be prepared to travel out of town to go elsewhere.

Conservative councillors on Blackburn with Darwen Council which pays £250,000 a year to run the facility said they would sell the site for development if they won power.

The proposal was put forward in the party's alternative budget.

The nearest facilities would then be the town's Shadsworth and Daisyfield leisure centres and private leisure facilities.

Wheelchair user David Johnson, 40, of Portree Crescent, Blackburn, said: "It is absolutely ludicrous to even come up with that idea. They complain about us not doing enough exercise but then they want to close this down.

"I have physiotherapy here three times a week. It is the only place I can do it. They have fantastic disabled facilities here."

Highways engineer Savan Radia, 22, of Brinscall, said: "I use the gym here because it is close to work so I can use it at lunchtime.

"I use the pool sometimes. I wouldn't say it is the best of pools but it is close to the town centre. I wouldn't be impressed if it was closed."

Blackburn pensioner Ron Booth, 76 said the gym, which he uses twice a week, had become a lifeline after he suffered a heart attack.

He said: "The councillors should start coming here to see what it's about.

"This place has done wonders for me."

Christine Rostron, 56, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn said: "I think it is ridiculous. I bring my grandchildren here, I use the gym and I use the pool.

"I have got asthma so it is very good for me, it keeps me healthy."

Business manager Rena Barnes, 53, of Chapman Road, Hoddlesden, said: "I don't use the pool because it doesn't have lanes but if you have children there isn't another one. I go to a fitness class once a week in my lunch break so I wouldn't be able to go if it was moved out of the centre."

The ruling Labour group has pledged to keep the facility.