SWIMMERS went for a last splash in Blackburn’s Waves pool, which shut the doors for the final time yesterday.

Visitors said they had fond memories of learning to swim at the 29-year-old leisure centre which first opened in 1986 and will be demolished next month.

The new pools at Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre, in Fielden Street, will open to the public on March 9, with Olympic swimming double-gold medallist Rebecca Adlington firing the official starting gun 11 days later.

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Celebrations were held at Waves yesterday marking the occasion, with families travelling from far afield to make sure they could say their final goodbye.

And staff, including Paul Hartley, who has worked at the pool as a lifeguard since it opened 29 years ago, said they would miss working at the centre.

Mr Hartley, 49, who lives in Lower Darwen, said: “When Waves opened, it was an exciting and modern building.

“It was ahead of its time for Blackburn.

“It has been a massive tourist attraction.

“I think it has broken down barriers in a way as well by mixing people who all had the same aim of enjoying themselves.

“The last day was emotional and there was an unusual atmosphere. I will miss it because it has been a big part of my life.”

Blackburn swimmers Bobby Parmar, 29 and Sachin Kara, 33, said they had to go for a swim on the pool’s last day ‘for the memories’.

Bobby said: “I had my 10th birthday party at Waves, so I have some really good memories.

“We had to come back for the nostalgia.

“It has been many, many years since we were last here, but it is going to be missed.”

Sachin added: “When I was young, I used to go to Waves with my cousins, friends and family. It was brilliant and it is quite sad that it is closing down.

“I am sure the new place will be better, but all of my memories are at Waves.”

The Burrows family, who are originally from Burnley, but moved to Cumbria, said they wanted to take their three-year-old son Joshua for a swim before the building shut.

Dad James said: “We came to Blackburn from Cumbria just for the last day.

“I grew up in Burnley and used to go to Waves quite a lot.

“I wanted to bring my little boy down just to experience it before it shuts.

“I remember the waves from when I was a child and I just wanted to come down for a last time too.

“We are looking forward to the new leisure centre opening, it looks like it is going to be great.”