AFTER almost 30 years serving the people of East Lancashire, Waves has closed its doors for the final time.

Swimmers travelled from far and wide to have their last dip in the pool in Blackburn town centre yesterday.

An iconic building for many, Waves has been the summer holiday venue of choice for most East Lancashire families for the last 29 years.

Staff and pool users celebrated the closure and the end of an era by enjoying a special cake.

Sunday was the final day for fans to take a trip down memory lane before the new pool is opened in March by Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington.

It is sad such a famous venue has had to close.

But the closure also marks the start of a new adventure and the opening of a state-of-the-art new venue for all to enjoy.

Waves must also have been a great place to work over the years.

One lifeguard – Paul Hartley – has kept East Lancashire swimmers safe since the day the Nab Lane venue opened in 1986.

Let’s hope the new pool becomes as equally cherished and tempts even more East Lancashire people to take up the healthy pastime of swimming.