PEOPLE in Hartlepool are to be offered the chance to help shape the future of swimming facilities across the town.

Hartlepool Borough Council's cabinet met on Monday and agreed to mount a consultation exercise in the spring to draw up a strategy that will meet the needs of all current and future swimmers.

Councillors took the decision after considering the results of a study by independent consultants of swim- ming facilities at the Mill House Leisure Centre, as well as the two learner pools and six secondary school pools in the town.

All the pools were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and are in need of attention.

The consultants also felt that swimming provision is not meeting the needs of schools, swimming clubs or the public.

Mayor Stuart Drummond said: "Significant funding will be needed to bring the town's swimming pools up to modern standards and we need a consensus on a way forward that meets the needs of all current and future swimmers."

Anyone who wants to be involved in the consultation process is asked to contact Gill Rollings on (01429) 523738