THE formation of an elite East Lancashire swimming squad was dealt a blow when councillors refused to "splash out" £1,000.

The Amateur Swimming Association had approached all six borough councils asking for £1,000 each for research into the plan.

But Pendle Council decided to support the Lancashire young people's sport and disability programme instead.

Poor performances in recent major championships, typified by the current showing at the world championships in Perth, has led to plans for a shake-up in the structure of local swimming. The ASA felt there were not enough swimmers good enough for individual boroughs to form their own elite squads.

So a meeting between the 17 local swimming clubs, council officers from the six boroughs and the ASA regional development officer formed the plan for an East Lancashire squad to compete in the North West Speedo League against the likes of Wigan Wasps, Manchester United, Salford and Bolton Metro.

Pendle clubs felt there was little need to change the current system, with their best swimmers progressing to Burnley Bobcats.

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