I FIRST met George Hill in the early 1980s. While working as a teacher in a difficult special school in Horwich, he carried out voluntary coaching of swimming and life saving at Darwen Swimming Club.

Along with many children in the town, my own children benefited from his active involvement with the club, especially his passion as awards organiser, and taking many hundreds of children on swimming and life saving awards.

Although leaving secondary school at 15, he is a well-qualified, experienced teacher with more degrees than a thermometer (three masters degrees at the last count), and an ASC Club Coach and lifesaving teacher.

I was impressed with his swimming ability, especially as a sprinter, and his generous voluntary activity in the community.

My understanding of the disagreement over Darwen Leisure Centre is that both Bill Stemp, George Hill and their group, including a head teacher, a retired head teacher and concerned residents, is that they are for sensible, constructive investment in the town and want to see a comprehensive family leisure centre for the people of Darwen rather than an elite swimmers' eight-lane pool and mega gym, with no sports hall.

With more than 1,000 signatures collected for their group petition, could it be that Blackburn with Darwen Council needs to look again at its plans before it has another debacle on its hands.

MRS K ANNE HAWORTH, Earnsdale Ave, Darwen.