Minsthorpe protest held over swimming pool closure

Minsthorpe Pool, in South Elmsall, was closed in July

A protest has been held against the closure of a council-owned six-lane swimming pool in West Yorkshire.

Minsthorpe Pool, in South Elmsall, shut permanently in July as repair costs were estimated at more than £1.2m.

Andrew Picken, of Minsthorpe Pool Action Group, said: "A swimming pool is a community facility - now it is an eyesore and a real shame."

Peter Box, leader of Wakefield Council, said: "It had come to the end of its useful life."

Mr Picken said he was asking people "to raise their voices" against the unfair "spread of austerity measures across the district".

Councillor Box said the pool, built in 1969, did not justify the council spending more money to keep it going.

He said the council's cabinet would discuss a full review of leisure facilities in February.