MADAM, A great deal of attention has rightly been given to the effects of the closure of Sydonia Swimming Pool on the town of Leominster.

I represent the rural area to the north of Leominster on both sides of the A49 and many people there use the pool on a regular basis too. They may now use the pools in Tenbury and Ludlow instead and how many of them will return to Leominster if and when the new pool is built?

There will be an inevitable knock-on effect on the shops and businesses in Leominster with fewer people from the rural area coming into town.

All the schools in the Leominster area face increased transport costs and longer travelling times to other pools. I hope Herefordshire Council will be prepared to meet these costs so that pupils will not lose out and to relieve the pressures on school budgets.

The closure of the Sydonia is a disaster for the whole community in and around Leominster.

I hope everyone concerned will work together to pursue the building and funding of a new pool with greater urgency than has recently been shown so that the Leominster area will have facilities it deserves.

JOHN STONE,

Councillor Upton Ward,

Herefordshire Council.