A BACKSTROKE ban has been slapped on swimmers at a council-run pool at busy times - because it is too dangerous.
Daisyfield Swimming Pool in Blackburn is believed to be one of the first in the country to implement such a ban.
The ban has angered some local swimmers.
Burnley-based mechanic Steve McCann, aged 40, who uses the pool with his two daughters, said: "They will probably ban breaststroke next for it being rude. We really are living in a very pedantic society."
New guidelines suggested by The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management urge councils to consider the ban as a health and safety measure, and Blackburn with Darwen Council has decided to implement it immediately.
It is hoped the move will prevent any legal action against the council if a swimmer doing backstroke collides with someone or hits the edges of the pool.
Bolton Council said it had no plans to implement a similar ban.
Last year, the council was the first to ban picture-taking mobile phones from its baths amid fears they could be used by paedophiles to take pictures of semi-naked children.
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