I'M delighted that the council is making swimming free in Blackburn with Darwen.

It's not that I particularly like swimming. Quite the contrary — I hate how you can never get quite dry enough to put your clothes back on comfortably.

But, as any woman will tell you, public swimming pools are THE BEST place to go if you're feeling bad about yourself.

If, like me, you spend way too long reading the likes of Now magazine, Heat and Closer you'll probably be under the impression that, where women's figures are concerned, anything bigger than a toothpick is humungous.

There are only so many pictures of the teeny weeny Kelly Brook and size 10 Charlotte Church being described as "curvy" one woman can take before she starts to wonder if somebody has swapped the full-length mirror for a picture of an elephant as a practical joke.

At times of desperation such as this there's only one thing for it — head to the local baths.

There you will find humanity as it really is: lumpy tums, wobbly thighs, warts and all.

Forget Cheryl Cole and her eight-year-old boy thighs — that's not what real women look like. Not women who eat actual food, anyway.

Real women look like the ones you'll see sidling up to the side of the pool, keeping their towels tightly clutched around their innocuous black costumes until the last second before slipping into the water.

If you get really lucky there'll be an aqua aerobics class on and you'll get an unrivalled opportunity to examine some of the larger females of the species splashing about in an unflattering manner.

A public swimming pool is a great reality check — and better still, you can get some exercise while you're there.

WE never went camping as kids. My parents weren't the type to enjoy slumming it in a tent. Quite sensibly, they preferred a comfy bed, a shower and access to nice restaurants.

In fact I never set foot into a tent until quite recently.

But, despite initial reservations, I took to it like a duck to water.

Who would have thought it? The girl who wouldn't dream of leaving the house without full make-up and who definitely needs a hairdrier to function would enjoy living in the wild?

There's something kind of old fashioned and romantic about camping.

But my favourite thing about it is that you're so busy carrying out the daily necessities such as cooking food, washing and keeping dry, that your mind clears of all the usual flotsam and jetsam and you really relax.

Without the convenience of a fully-stocked home you appreciate things more.

Our burgers grilled on a disposable barbecue and topped with a plasticy cheese slice were better than any I've ever tasted.

I’ve got to admit though, after three nights under canvas, it was pretty amazing to get back to my own pillow.