OF course a 50-metre pool should be considered for Darwen.

Given the large interest and popularity of swimming and also the availability of a high number of experienced coaches and teachers in the Blackburn and Darwen area, a 50-metre pool would be ideal.

For at least the last 15 years, Darwen Leisure Centre has provided three highly-successful, consistently well-attended and sometimes overcrowded "Swimfit" sessions, for differing ages and abilities.

So many people in only four swimming lanes takes considerable expertise from the coaches to provide everyone with an acceptable workout.

In addition to Swimfit, Darwen Masters, with over 60 adult members, provides two sessions each week for the more competitively inclined.

More pool space would allow both these popular activities to be expanded and opened up to more people.

It goes without saying that the local swimming clubs in the area would benefit greatly.

Approaching the benefits of swimming from another direction, maybe the nearby new health centre could liaise with the Leisure Centre to provide rehabilitation, through swimming for their patients.

A WILKINSON, Limes Avenue, Darwen.