READING about the demolition of The Water Place in Bolton and the suggestion of building a new one on Queens Park, I agree that parks should be protected.

In a Urban Development Plan, they should be classed in a higher classification of protection than Green Belt Land, and not lumped together as leisure facilities.

One other thought that the people of Bolton should remember -- Olympic-sized swimming pools are a rarity, and, because of that fact, every swimming club in a 100-mile radius of Bolton would be attracted to it.

In fact, that is one of the reasons why pools are usually a couple of metres shorter than Olympic length.

Loads of money for the council in fees, but the time for local people to enjoy their pool would be minimal. It would be booked up solid by swimming clubs, months in advance.

Ainslie Casson

Church Walks

Westhoughton

Bolton