A GROUP of swimmers is encouraging people to join its class in a bid to keep an east Cleveland pool open.

Guisborough Swimming Pool is at the centre of a campaign to have it replaced because many people believe the town needs modern facilities.

But the pool's Aqua Fit class say they like it just as it is, although they recognise the need for change.

The class consists mainly of women over the age of 60 who find that Aqua Fit - a gentle fitness class held in the water - is the only exercise they can enjoy and has been recommended by their doctors.

Member Quita Owen said members come from across Redcar and Cleveland, as well as from North Yorkshire, because they like the pool so much.

"The pool still gives a great deal of pleasure to very many people and we want to promote Aqua Fit as good exercise.

"The pool is old but we want to encourage people to keep using it and supporting it.

"We are at the other age spectrum and we can't afford to wait too long for the new pool at our age. It has a nice, friendly atmosphere, it is kept clean and the staff are lovely."

Mrs Owen stressed the group was supporting Guisborough Swimming Club and others who have formed a steering group to raise £10,000 for a feasibility study into a new pool.

On Friday, members of the Aqua Fit group attended the steering group's meeting to show their support.

Rob Vincent-Jones, from the steering group, said the Aqua Fit women suggested they applied for money from the Department of Health for the "exercise on prescription" health benefits of Aqua Fit. Ashok Kumar, the steering group chairman and MP for Guisborough, intends to talk to colleagues in the Department of Health to see if this is possible.

The steering group next meets on January 25