IN reply to J E Summers (Your Letters, April 2) regarding striking a balance for Ledbury Pool users, Ledbury and District Amateur Swimming Club (LADASC) is not asking for any changes or extra pool time.

Indeed LADASC is concerned at the loss of public access time if Halo continues in its quest to change the swimming schedules. Not only would you not be able to swim any morning between 7-8am, but you would have no access between 6.30-10pm any night of the week except Tuesdays.

The children in LADASC, however, can only swim at certain times due to their ages and the fact they are at school. This is not the case for several groups of the community who could use the pool during the day (pre-school children, adults working flexible hours, the elderly and retired etc).

In addition, the pool is currently not being used to the full during the weekends when it actually closes after 3.30pm Saturday and Sundays.

LADASC's weekend commitments to galas and competitions makes it impossible for it to utilise this valuable time. But this is prime time for lessons, family swimming or adult swimming.

Halo has an obligation to look at the needs of the whole community, which includes the youngsters in LADASC, and less at its profits and need for a tidy timetable.

We should be applauding the dedication and motivation of these children and not damning them for taking up pool time.

CAROLINE HEATH, The Homend, Ledbury.